Replacing my cock.

[Camellia]

as many others have said, your run/coop is too small. I recommend maybe extending the run a couple of feet or maybe let them free range during the day.

 

[Unobtanium]

Your coop is way too small for that many birds. Where are the nest boxes? Also, you didn't show your ventilation ports. I wouldn't keep more than 4 large chickens in there. In the winter when there's a foot or more of snow on the ground your chickens will not want to go out in that and will develop nasty behaviors out of boredom and tight spaces.

The roof is corrugated, so natural ventilation occurs where the dips and rises abutt the structure. There is also a window for a through breeze in warm weather. I have only had a couple inches if snow for a couple days max.

 

[Unobtanium]

as many others have said, your run/coop is too small. I recommend maybe extending the run a couple of feet or maybe let them free range during the day.

The coop is always open, and they freerange as they please.

 

[Cryss]

Your birds need to do more than sleep and lay inside the coop. They need to poop and breathe. That's a lot of poop air to breathe causing respiratory problems. In winter they might need to stay in during storms. There's going to be fighting problems. 4sqft/bird is minimal.
As for the run, good thing you free range. But if you ever need to leave them you may want to keep them in the run. This needs to be 10sqft/bird again this is minimal. 1 square foot per bird for 18 or even 10 birds is asking for serious problems.

 

[Unobtanium]

I again messaged the breeder, and was told my situation is going to be fine, depending on the birds, stating that they only need 6" per bird to roost. The coop is well vented. The lay-out of the roosts maximizes the space. That said, if they squabble, etc. I have a few neighbors who would gladly take a few off my hands. Back when I had 11 birds and just ONE single roost bar (about 7ft long), they were all quite happy to roost on it.

 

[Cryss]

The dimensions mentioned by several people is not about the roost bar, they are referring to floor space inside and in the run.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think you would be happier with about 8-10 birds in that space, a lot depends on your birds. You might just get by with what you want in there, however, if you start having flock behavior issues, then you can reduce the number of birds. After a little experience, you will know what will get along well in the space.

In my own coop, I have fit 5-8 more birds into the coop, without issue than the 4 foot per bird recommendation, but a lot of that depends on your set up, and the shape of the coop and roost and the temperament of the birds.

As to the op's original question, is the black jersey giant a chick or a full grown rooster? If a full grown rooster, I would just flip out the old mean rooster, and replace with a new rooster. If he is mature, there will hardly be any ruckus at all. If he is a chick, it can be a long time without a rooster, or a long time with a mean rooster if you decide to wait to cull him.

Personally, I would look for a full grown rooster, or one that is 6-12 months old.

Mrs K

 

[Unobtanium]

This is a chick. I do have a dog that watches and protects my flock, though, so the hens won't be "naked" if I choose to rotate the old roo out early.

 

[Unobtanium]

Spoke with the breeder, discussed dimensions and layout and so forth, and multiple breeders are saying my setup will be just fine, so let's set that aside and let history be the judge of it.


Now...the integration is going well. I have 2 hens that are broody, and I've introduced 2 wee chickies per night to them, and they seem to dote on them all day. I've lifter their food above the chickies and put wee chick crumbles at the lower level, along with a wee waterer. I plan to integrate them 2 per night until all 8 are integrated.

 

[aart]

Spoke with the breeder, discussed dimensions and layout and so forth, and multiple breeders are saying my setup will be just fine, so let's set that aside and let history be the judge of it.

Now...the integration is going well. I have 2 hens that are broody, and I've introduced 2 wee chickies per night to them, and they seem to dote on them all day. I've lifter their food above the chickies and put wee chick crumbles at the lower level, along with a wee waterer. I plan to integrate them 2 per night until all 8 are integrated.

How old are the chicks?
How long the the hens been broody?
Why only 2 per night instead of all at once?
I would think they may not keep taking them<shrugs>

I look forward to hearing about your progress....pics would be great.