Roosters

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Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

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I have had as many as 8 roosters free-ranging at a time, with all the hens, and we have never really had any issues. They were raised together and had their positions in the flock already well defined, so I am sure that helped keep the conflicts to a minimum. If I were you, I would be more concerned about your hens and the "abuse" they will take having 2 roosters around. As Drumstick Diva mentioned, a ratio of one rooster to 10 hens is much better for your hens as far as keeping them happy and safe goes. Good luck!
 
My situation seems to be the same as was earlier described... 2 roosters, 6 hens. (ok, not a good ratio at all). I got the two roosters as a result of 3 hatching eggs that two of the girls sat on... Now I have 2 roosters. The younger rooster is challenged just right now. The current chickens are all bantam Wyandottes. I have ordering additional - full size day old Silver Laced from the local feed and supply, but in this part of the country (Northern New England) they won't come in til mid April... and then it will take some time for them to grow. Here is his story:

1. His name is officially Prince Valiant. He is a fine rooster who had every physical attribute a bird fancier could want. He has good clean Columbian markings and Wyandotte type. Unfortunately, he was hatched in August about 2 months after his 'older brother', Father Abraham. No amount of good looks would make up for the unfortunate position of Young Upstart/ johnny come lately..
2. Their joint existence started out in a spirit of mutual coexistence. Things changed as Prince Valiant began to crow. The sound wasn't very loud and it appeared as though he was a bit shy when he crowed to greet the rising sun in pre-dawn.. As the days and weeks past his crow improved.
3. Then is when I noticed a sort of crowing war... As he was yet a bit smaller than his 'big brother' I don't think either rooster considered the other a threat... but now they're both roughly the same size.
4. Father Abraham has the advantage though,, and seems full of confidence. He chases dear Prince Valiant around and away from whatever it is that the dear fellow seems to want at any moment. I have noticed that Poor Valiant is now sporting a large somewhat loose plume curled out the back... it looks like Abraham didn't quite pull it out.
5. The only way I can tell them apart are the distinct crows ... and................ Prince Valiant's loose feather.

Any comments?
 
BubbysChickens said:
My situation seems to be the same as was earlier described... 2 roosters, 6 hens. (ok, not a good ratio at all). I got the two roosters as a result of 3 hatching eggs that two of the girls sat on... Now I have 2 roosters. The younger rooster is challenged just right now. The current chickens are all bantam Wyandottes. I have ordering additional - full size day old Silver Laced from the local feed and supply, but in this part of the country (Northern New England) they won't come in til mid April... and then it will take some time for them to grow. Here is his story:

1. His name is officially Prince Valiant. He is a fine rooster who had every physical attribute a bird fancier could want. He has good clean Columbian markings and Wyandotte type. Unfortunately, he was hatched in August about 2 months after his 'older brother', Father Abraham. No amount of good looks would make up for the unfortunate position of Young Upstart/ johnny come lately..
2. Their joint existence started out in a spirit of mutual coexistence. Things changed as Prince Valiant began to crow. The sound wasn't very loud and it appeared as though he was a bit shy when he crowed to greet the rising sun in pre-dawn.. As the days and weeks past his crow improved.
3. Then is when I noticed a sort of crowing war... As he was yet a bit smaller than his 'big brother' I don't think either rooster considered the other a threat... but now they're both roughly the same size.
4. Father Abraham has the advantage though,, and seems full of confidence. He chases dear Prince Valiant around and away from whatever it is that the dear fellow seems to want at any moment. I have noticed that Poor Valiant is now sporting a large somewhat loose plume curled out the back... it looks like Abraham didn't quite pull it out.
5. The only way I can tell them apart are the distinct crows ... and................ Prince Valiant's loose feather.

Any comments?
Click to expand...

You could separate them.
 
Welcome to BYC - you have some sound advice already, so I'll just say a big hello.

all the best
CT
 
Hi and welcome to BYC. I agree that separation would be better, pending the arrival and the coming of age of your impending flock additions.

All the best
CT
BubbysChickens said:
My situation seems to be the same as was earlier described... 2 roosters, 6 hens. (ok, not a good ratio at all). I got the two roosters as a result of 3 hatching eggs that two of the girls sat on... Now I have 2 roosters. The younger rooster is challenged just right now. The current chickens are all bantam Wyandottes. I have ordering additional - full size day old Silver Laced from the local feed and supply, but in this part of the country (Northern New England) they won't come in til mid April... and then it will take some time for them to grow. Here is his story:

1. His name is officially Prince Valiant. He is a fine rooster who had every physical attribute a bird fancier could want. He has good clean Columbian markings and Wyandotte type. Unfortunately, he was hatched in August about 2 months after his 'older brother', Father Abraham. No amount of good looks would make up for the unfortunate position of Young Upstart/ johnny come lately..
2. Their joint existence started out in a spirit of mutual coexistence. Things changed as Prince Valiant began to crow. The sound wasn't very loud and it appeared as though he was a bit shy when he crowed to greet the rising sun in pre-dawn.. As the days and weeks past his crow improved.
3. Then is when I noticed a sort of crowing war... As he was yet a bit smaller than his 'big brother' I don't think either rooster considered the other a threat... but now they're both roughly the same size.
4. Father Abraham has the advantage though,, and seems full of confidence. He chases dear Prince Valiant around and away from whatever it is that the dear fellow seems to want at any moment. I have noticed that Poor Valiant is now sporting a large somewhat loose plume curled out the back... it looks like Abraham didn't quite pull it out.
5. The only way I can tell them apart are the distinct crows ... and................ Prince Valiant's loose feather.

Any comments?
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for the replies. I'll have to work on a way to separate them... But perhaps Prince Valiant will just settle into being in second place, and perhaps let Abraham take the lead.
For the last few days it's been relatively quiet - except a gray squirrel came around to get some of the Wild Bird Seed I put out as a treat for the chickens. Abraham did not take kindly to the squirrel's visiting in 'his territory'... The squirrel was escorted off-grounds. Too bad I didn't have a camera to hand.
The night time temperature is going down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit ( -25 degrees Celsius) this weekend. So the boys will have no choice but to get along. They will have to stay in the house and run, as it will be too cold for them to around outside -- just for a few days.
 

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