Rooless flock

[crooked stripe]

Can you folks give me some pointers on having a flock of chickens without a roo. I had a roo till yesterday. He was making so much noise he had to go. Now the hens seem lost. Instead of traveling in a group they scatter all over the place. This morning none of the hens would come out of the coop till I went out and coaxed them out. Now they stay within 20 of the coop. Please help with some info. John

 

[hcammack]

my flock has never had a roo so I am not sure about the transition but eventually I think that one of your hens will emerge as a leader.

Good Luck,
Henry

 

[wynedot55]

same here i never have a roo with my hens.but your hens should get used to not having a roo.

 

[nccountrygirl]

I do know your girls will look better without a roo mating them all the time and them having bald patches on each side of their tail.

 

[spook]

My girls are roo less, got tired of an over active lover. The girls were begining to gang up on him! He would get busy and the other girls would run up to him and beat him on the head with their beaks- good thing I never gave them tazors!

For a week or two they were a bit lost, but they are now very happy girls, DH refers to them as "The View" all in a group, debating over whats next etc.
I have a friend that has roos and if I ever wanted to breed, I could borrow a roo for 2 days. Personally if I have one go broody, I'd give her a couple of his eggs. Easier that way.
I did want a roo so I plan on keeping 1 bantam roo and 2 girls. Then we get the roo benis without shredded backs.

 

[mmajw]

It may take them few days to get back on track if they are use to him being the leader it could take awhile to have one of the hens take over as leader.

 

[Suess hens]

I shed my flock of their roo about 2 weeks ago, he was beating up the babies. It took the girls a few days to start doing things on their own, but they do eventually.

 

[crooked stripe]

Now that the roo is gone the hens are getting brave. John

 

[Suess hens]

See, they are fine. And want to join your inside family now.

 

[crooked stripe]

All I need now is EGGS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the replys. John