- Sep 3, 2017
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We will soon be starting over with new chicks at our new home and I want to incorporate roosters into our flock. I am completely new to roosters. I am a little afraid of them, but want to have one as my chickens will be free-ranging. I also like the idea of breeding a self-sustaining flock.
My plan was to order a mix of straight-run DP breeds, keeping the females, as well as the fastest growing, nicest male to stick around as rooster, while putting the others in the freezer.
Questions:
Will this plan work? What is the best age to dispatch the roosters if I want to avoid excessive crowing/fighting.. Do I need a separate pen for the roosters? (I was thinking of making them a separate pen that can be re-purposed for brooding chicks or growing out turkeys (would that work?)). I read somewhere that its better to buy cockerel chicks after the hens are a bit older. That way the hens can help socialize the rooster. Is that necessary? It would be easier for me to buy them all at once and brood them together, but I am willing to start the roosters later, if it results in a friendlier bird.
Any advice/insight would be welcomed. Thank you!!
My plan was to order a mix of straight-run DP breeds, keeping the females, as well as the fastest growing, nicest male to stick around as rooster, while putting the others in the freezer.
Questions:
Will this plan work? What is the best age to dispatch the roosters if I want to avoid excessive crowing/fighting.. Do I need a separate pen for the roosters? (I was thinking of making them a separate pen that can be re-purposed for brooding chicks or growing out turkeys (would that work?)). I read somewhere that its better to buy cockerel chicks after the hens are a bit older. That way the hens can help socialize the rooster. Is that necessary? It would be easier for me to buy them all at once and brood them together, but I am willing to start the roosters later, if it results in a friendlier bird.
Any advice/insight would be welcomed. Thank you!!