Rooster Help!

[Hedgiewoo]

Hi All, I'm new to forum but have been picking the pages of BYC for a while now!

We have two birds, we bought off of a local guy who breeds a few hens on his allotment. Initially we were told they were hens (just at point of lay), however, when no eggs arrived and one started testing out a little cock-a-doodle-doo, we suspected that we may have a rooster. They are a Sussex-mixed breed.

That was about a month ago - now we have two cock-a-doodle-dooing birds with bright red growing wattles and cones and no eggs. I am now certain they are both boys, however - now I don't know what to do!

Is it wise to keep them both and try and fit in another coop and run (I only have a small garden) and get some hens (I want the eggs!) or should I return them to where they came from (the guy has said he'd be fine to take them back)?

I've grown attached to these noisy birds and feel they may not get the same life of luxury back at the allotment as they get with me. I am also worried that they may start fighting as they grow older, already they have a few bickers and puff their neck feathers out and peck each other from time to time.

Anyone got any suggestions? I don't have enough room to get 30 more birds and I read somewhere that you should have about 15 hens to one rooster... I could keep them separate but don't know if I'm just being a big softy and asking for more work!

Please don't even suggest the pot...

 

[Judy]

They will fight somewhat but may do OK together. Yes, if you get just a few hens, they will overmate them. The most sensible thing would really be to return them, or at least one of them, but I understand why you don't want to.

Sometimes one rooster will do OK with just a few hens. It depends on the rooster. If the hens' feathers start getting worn you can put saddles on them. If your roo is gentlemanly during mating, and if you trim nails and spurs, he may not do any other damage with saddles in place.

 

[4 the Birds]

I think that a good rooster to hen ratio is more like 1 to 8. Anyway.... we have multiple roosters and they do fine together. One will become the Alpha rooster. A rooster in the flock can be nice to keep an eye out for things and sound the alarm. As Judy pointed out, you may get a few bare spots on your hens backs from mating. Ours do but I don't mess with the saddle thing.

 

[roostersandhens]

Keep them! You m not even have to separate them. Roosters are great to have they have pretty crows and protect the hens. I think no separating is necessary with that many girls and that you shouldn't put him through the stress of leaving his home.
Good Luck!