Rooster flock

[Willow2253]

I’m thinking about starting a rooster flock. I have 28 chickens, and 7 or 8 of them are boys. Only one of the boys is fully grown, the rest are either 7 weeks or 13 weeks. So far everyone is getting along, though some of the older boys are starting to have short sparring matches. We want to only keep a couple in with the main flock, but I don’t think I have the heart to get rid of the rest. Everyone is currently free ranging, but we have a spare coop and I’m thinking I could fence that in and not let the bachelors free range. What do y’all think? Could it work if the hens are free ranging around them? Is there anything else I should consider with this?

 

[LaFleche]

I’m thinking about starting a rooster flock. I have 28 chickens, and 7 or 8 of them are boys. Only one of the boys is fully grown, the rest are either 7 weeks or 13 weeks. So far everyone is getting along, though some of the older boys are starting to have short sparring matches. We want to only keep a couple in with the main flock, but I don’t think I have the heart to get rid of the rest. Everyone is currently free ranging, but we have a spare coop and I’m thinking I could fence that in and not let the bachelors free range. What do y’all think? Could it work if the hens are free ranging around them? Is there anything else I should consider with this?

Rooster flocks will not work well if they will be able to hear the hens at all times and watching them free ranging right in front of their eyes.

 

[Tonyroo]

Wouldn't it be better for all to free range then separate them for the night.
If you have predators in your area that would be handy. Just a thought.

 

[Weeg]

Rooster flocks will not work well if they will be able to hear the hens at all times and watching them free ranging right in front of their eyes.

I have a friend who has a rooster flock of brothers, and they can hear the hens, and beryl see them. They are fine! No one bothers the other. It is a small flock, used to be 3 roo's but it is now only 2 because one died so I don't know if the size makes a difference.

 

[Willow2253]

Rooster flocks will not work well if they will be able to hear the hens at all times and watching them free ranging right in front of their eyes.

They wouldn’t see and hear them all the time, the main flock tends to stay on one side of the property, and the spare coop is on the other side. The house, tons of vegetation, and a hillside are between them. They like to stay in sight of the main coop and the garden, so there’s a lot of space on the property that they don’t use.

Wouldn't it be better for all to free range then separate them for the night.
If you have predators in your area that would be handy. Just a thought.

That would kind of defeat the purpose I think, because they would likely spend most of the day mingling and would probably move into each other’s coops given the opportunity.

I have a friend who has a rooster flock of brothers, and they can hear the hens, and beryl see them. They are fine! No one bothers the other. It is a small flock, used to be 3 roo's but it is now only 2 because one died so I don't know if the size makes a difference.

I have 5 or 6 that I would need to separate out. I have the current top dog who is staying in the main flock, 4 brothers who mostly get along very well, and 1 or 2 more unrelated babies who are being raised together.

 

[Weeg]

I bet it will be fine! Just keep an eye on the men and make sure they aren't causing a ruckus because they can there the hens. Good luck, Avery

 

[Willow2253]

I bet it will be fine! Just keep an eye on the men and make sure they aren't causing a ruckus because they can there the hens. Good luck, Avery

Thanks! It’ll still be a little while before we decide for sure, but I want to make sure we do what’s right for our birds.

 

[aart]

I know I couldn't afford to feed a bunch of non productive birds.
I'd rather they feed me.

I don’t think I have the heart to get rid of the rest.

Do you have the heart to watch them fight to bloodying?
What will you do when/if that happens?

 

[Willow2253]

I know I couldn't afford to feed a bunch of non productive birds.
I'd rather they feed me.

Do you have the heart to watch them fight to bloodying?
What will you do when/if that happens?

I wouldn’t want to keep together a bunch of boys that are just going to fight. I’ve gotten rid of problem birds before, and I’ll do it again if necessary. If something isn’t working I’ll change it, but I’d rather give them a chance in life first.