Hi all
We have a small flock growing again and currently we are clear that we have two growing roosters. Evidence of the red comb and spurs growing in, and now the hormones are kicking in. Four years ago we had a flock for the first time and mixed the roosters in with the hens when they were old enough to go in the coop, and when the roosters were about 15 weeks we processed them. We allowed the mixing to go on too long I think, as the hens weren't enjoying the clumsy coming-of-agers and it was sometimes mayhem as the roos tried to establish dominance with each other.
So, now my 4 week old roosters are harrassing the 3-4 week old hens. They aren't quite fully feathered to be outside yet (I don't think?), and I would like to grow them on to process them at the right age. What would be the ideal age (they are Easter Eggers), and how do you manage the flock, house the roosters, separate them individually or not, etc
Any experience in this area would be great, we are hoping to do things better this time around with less stress and bother to the current hens (4 years old) and the new 3-4 week olds we have growing on. Thanks!
**and i did post this in "managing your flock", and after receiving no replies, I thought maybe it was supposed to go here
We have a small flock growing again and currently we are clear that we have two growing roosters. Evidence of the red comb and spurs growing in, and now the hormones are kicking in. Four years ago we had a flock for the first time and mixed the roosters in with the hens when they were old enough to go in the coop, and when the roosters were about 15 weeks we processed them. We allowed the mixing to go on too long I think, as the hens weren't enjoying the clumsy coming-of-agers and it was sometimes mayhem as the roos tried to establish dominance with each other.
So, now my 4 week old roosters are harrassing the 3-4 week old hens. They aren't quite fully feathered to be outside yet (I don't think?), and I would like to grow them on to process them at the right age. What would be the ideal age (they are Easter Eggers), and how do you manage the flock, house the roosters, separate them individually or not, etc
Any experience in this area would be great, we are hoping to do things better this time around with less stress and bother to the current hens (4 years old) and the new 3-4 week olds we have growing on. Thanks!
**and i did post this in "managing your flock", and after receiving no replies, I thought maybe it was supposed to go here