Rooster Too Vigorous?

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

So I have 5 rooster and 5 hens about 13 weeks old. One of my biggest roosters who I think takes care of the whole flock about 2 weeks ago started forgetting how to enter the coop and would stare at the door. He would eventually figure it out. Two nights ago, he started following the hens inside. He would wait on the coop floor until all the hens and the other roosters got situated. By the time that had all happened, it would be too dark for him to see and he couldn’t climb up on the roost. So he would sleep beneath the hens. So before I go to sleep I typically shut the door and would see him there and pick him up and put him on the perch. Is he too watchful? Or is he too dumb and I need to consider him one of the four for chicken and dumplings?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
So you have five cockerels and five pullets, all babies, and no older chickens?
They need time to figure out how to be chickens, not having any adults to show them the way.
With only five pullets, you will need to eliminate all but one cockerel over the next few months. It's early to decide now, but start planning.
Any with obvious behavioral or structural faults aren't keepers. Any that aren't a good fit with your pullets (different breeds?). Consider eliminating three, and keeping two, until the 'right one' is obvious to you.
Your cockerel who's on the floor is likely lower in the pecking order right now, and can't get up there, especially if roost space is tight. A temporary problem, unless he's got a health issue.
Mary

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Thanks Mary, no I don’t have any other chickens. This is my first time raising chickens. The one on the floor did his first crow Sunday morning. Not quite a belly full, but he gave it his best. I have two perches. Each 18 inch from each other. And about 4 ft long a piece. They all play “who is the leader” 2-3 times a day. So I’m still not sure which one I like out of them all. Floor sleeper is the first to peck at me so he got a yellow card. Told my wife one more yellow card and he is out of he game. So do I slowly but steadily kill them off or all on the same weekend?

 

[Folly's place]

I try to give them time to develop, so I can make the best decision. Last year I didn't do so well; kept a bird with a crooked tail (pelvis malformed) and a bird who was too rough on the hens and pullets. Both of them are now gone, but it made me humble...
As your boys mature, they will be way too rough on your pullets, so if you need lots of time to decide, you may need to build a separate 'bachelor pen' to keep them out of trouble.
Or, move all five on, and raise some more chicks this spring, to have more choices.
Or, keep one or two, and reduce to one later.
Or, get MANY more pullets!
Mary

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

So about how old do you think I should wait till?

 

[Folly's place]

The cockerels will mature before the pullets, and make their lives miserable. It's then decision time! They will be big enough (depending on breed) to be worth butchering, and handsome enough to possibly sell. One will be plenty to keep!
Mary

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

They are Rhode Island reds

 

[Folly's place]

Are they the 'orangey' production reds from a hatchery, or the SQ deep mahogany RIRs?
My experience has been with the hatchery birds, and the cockerels tend to be on the nasty side. I've no experience with the SQ breed lines.
See how it goes...
Mary

 

[aart]

So about how old do you think I should wait till?

So I have 5 rooster and 5 hens about 13 weeks old.

The fun is about to begin!
I put all my extra cockerels in the freezer between 13-16 weeks,
still tender enough for the grill, but before they really start wreaking havoc.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Folly: When you say nasty what do you mean? They come from a hatchery. The females are deep mahogany. Two of the males are orangeish the other three are mahogany with black frills around their neck. They were sold regular and not production. They were from Hoover. My next batch here in a couple weeks will be from ideal cause they are down the road from me.

Aart I know. One rooster grabbed another by the neck feathers and put his feet on his butt and road him around the yard. I got a chuckle but I’m sure that isn’t safe haha.