Roosters… to keep or not to keep?

[Lkw]

Hello, I posted something similar a while back but it was in the wrong place and I didn’t get very many replies so I’m trying again.

So we have accidentally ended up with quite a few roosters (apx 10? With apx 60 females -variety of breeds). Birds ages range from 6 years to 6 months… they have several acres to spread out on daily but all share a rather large coop at night.

I am nervous bc I have read so much about rooster behavior nightmares… however, thus far we have had no fights or injuries from rooster to rooster… “combat” … they mostly don’t even seem to acknowledge each other and some of the roosters even seem to be bonded to each other and “co-manage” a few ladies (if this is even a thing). At this point, Should we try to go ahead and split them up and give a few Roos away or just go with it? I know this is late in the game, but we inherited some of this flock and didn’t really know what we were doing at first!

 

[sourland]

As long as the roosters/cockerels aren't fighting one another and overbreeding the hens, you can give it a try. Have a 'Plan B' in mind in case things fall apart.

 

[Camo chicken146]

@Mrs. K @Ridgerunner

 

[Cmp211]

I don’t really have a huge input, just trying to help you get interaction with the post. I have 2 cockerels and 16 pullets. Ranging from 13 & 15 weeks old. The two boys both crow throughout the day, they both mount the girls, not that they can be fertilized yet lol but I guess they like to practice lol. They seem to do fine they fluff feathers at each other, not excessive , at least not yet

 

[Mrs. K]

There is a lot of difference in the advice given to a person with 16 hens and 2 roosters and a flock of 60 birds and 10 are roosters. The difference is space and experience.

Cnp211- I would expect your situation to have a higher chance of going south. You (I think) have an all flockmates flock. They are all the same age. The males are already maturing and ready, the pullets are not. And your birds are not full grown. It might be the space you have set up will become not enough space as your bird reach full size. It might be you do have enough space, but your cockerels start to not work out. If this is j you our first year with chickens, I would let them both go. A hen only flock is good to get experience.

As for the OP. 60 birds imply a very large space, a different kind of animal husbandry. In this situation multiple cockerels and roosters will probably work out. However, if there is any of them that you don’t like for any reason, you could cull down to 5-7 boys without any problems. Do have a plan B. Such as a dog crate, a long handled net in case you need to separate birds.

Mrs K

 

[Lkw]

As long as the roosters/cockerels aren't fighting one another and overbreeding the hens, you can give it a try. Have a 'Plan B' in mind in case things fall apart.

OK, I will keep it as is for now. Things are pretty peaceful. Lol. I was just afraid of waking up one day and coming out to a rooster massacre.

 

[Lkw]

There is a lot of difference in the advice given to a person with 16 hens and 2 roosters and a flock of 60 birds and 10 are roosters. The difference is space and experience.

Cnp211- I would expect your situation to have a higher chance of going south. You (I think) have an all flockmates flock. They are all the same age. The males are already maturing and ready, the pullets are not. And your birds are not full grown. It might be the space you have set up will become not enough space as your bird reach full size. It might be you do have enough space, but your cockerels start to not work out. If this is j you our first year with chickens, I would let them both go. A hen only flock is good to get experience.

As for the OP. 60 birds imply a very large space, a different kind of animal husbandry. In this situation multiple cockerels and roosters will probably work out. However, if there is any of them that you don’t like for any reason, you could cull down to 5-7 boys without any problems. Do have a plan B. Such as a dog crate, a long handled net in case you need to separate birds.

Mrs K

OK, I will keep an eye out. I honestly don’t know what to expect. We inherited some of these chickens and then the others I have gotten. We sell the eggs from them. I’m not sure how we ended up with so many roosters, but it happened.

 

[Lkw]

Also, I forgot to mention the enclosure that we built for them (with advice from people on this forum) is 24 x 20x10 on the inside and has an outside run that is enclosed that is 40 x 12. Of course they are let out every day to free range but this way they always have access to outside if they get up before I do. Lol I even put in a small space for new chick introductions to the flock when old enough!

 

[Rooski456]

Following along! I also have more boys than I planned on having. Only 2 but with my 10 girls. I have a definite leader between the two and so far they coexist but I’m waiting to see how they change as they mature. Staying optimistic but also not afraid to get rid of both for the sake of my ladies.

 

[Mrs. K]

Only 2 but with my 10 girls. I have a definite leader between the two and so far they coexist but I’m waiting to see how they change as they mature.

What are the ages? If they are close to a year, and everyone is still getting along - you got lucky.

If they are under 12 weeks of age, and especially if the pullets are the same age, you are in the darling stage. They are fun to watch and be with, and it is nearly impossible to imagine how much this can change...quickly. People often post on here, asking how to go back to that.

Thing is you can't. I enjoy it, knowing it is coming to an end. Then be vigilant that your pullets are really ok, watchful that they are not becoming human aggressive, and beware that they can start to fight. Do have a plan B set up and ready to separate them from each other or from the flock.

I am not saying it can't work out, but I would not expect it to do so.

Mrs K