ROOSTERS CROWING!!!

[Alleybird21]

Hi my baby chickies (no matter how big they are they will always be my babies) are getting big. They are several months old and out of seven, five have survived. Three of them are roosters. I live in the country and I don't mind that they crow. They started crowing yesterday to the many wild roos around my house. Do you think they will stick together and fight the other roos or stay free range in my large yard? I don't want them fighting. I saved a big red roo from a fight once. But yah if you have any answers let me know! Thank you!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Three cockerels will be a big problem if you only have two pullets! Either get a lot more pullets or hens, or plan to move at least two of your cockerels on elsewhere.
You have feral chickens? They may be a real problem for your chicks, and your cockerels. Mary

 

[chickens really]

The feral Chickens can pass disease onto your Birds...Also fight with your Cockerels and breed your Pullets...It could get stressful...

 

[debid]

They won't band together to fight intruders, if that's what you're thinking. They will fight each other because that's what roosters do when there isn't enough territory or hens to keep them occupied. The dominant male will either kill or drive off the extras. This is hardwired behavior.

So, I'd get more females and get rid of all males except your favorite one. Two might be OK if you get quite a few hens but they'll have to work through pecking order and it's never going to be negotiations and handshakes.

 

[Alleybird21]

Thank you they are all siblings so I hope they don't inbreed. Is that a possibility? There are 3 other feral chickens that are pullets and I have another one from my second batch. the other batch is a pair male and female they are also siblings. they are all rescues from my local chickens.

 

[keesmom]

Thank you they are all siblings so I hope they don't inbreed. Is that a possibility?

It's not a possibility, it's a guarantee. They're chickens, not people. The males won't care if the females are related - sisters, mother, aunts - they will breed any female they can get.

You still have too many cockerels for the pullets you have. Four males and only 6 pullets is a lot of testosterone. Then there are the feral ones that will likely be attracted to your females.

 

[Gloryfarm]

The rule of thumb is Aprox 10 hens to one roo so you will need more hens. We have seven Roos and love them but they need space and girls.

 

[BlueBaby]

If you don't have enough girls for the boys, the girls will get gang-raped and over-bred or the roosters could end up killing the girls who are not being co-operative with them.

 

[Alleybird21]

I don't want that to happen so I will relocate some roos

 

[BlueBaby]

@Alleybird21 Good choice, and you should get more hens for the roo that you will keep. You should also find a way to block the wild roo's from being able to get into your yard, if you insist on free-ranging them.