Separating Hens from Roosters

[Matilda Belle]

Cockerels are like teenage boys with raging testosterone, they will cause havoc among the girls. Separating them would be best, and it will give you time to observe them and figure out which one or two you want to keep.

One or two? Can't I keep them all?

 

[Ridgerunner]

One or two? Can't I keep them all?

You can keep them all. But all or all but one would probably need to be in a bachelor pad, not with the gals.

 

[Matilda Belle]

You can keep them all. But all or all but one would probably need to be in a bachelor pad, not with the gals.

Got it. Thanks!

 

[aart]

@aart What do you mean by "long term" plans?

Are you keeping chickens to breed and sell, to lay eggs, for meat, or just for pets?
Whatever your goals, your housing and bird population needs to be adequate and managed for the purposes intended.
Any time there are multiple males involved, trouble is likely to ensue unless they are properly managed and housed.

Many first time chicken keepers are horrified by the behaviors of young male birds just becoming sexual and/or dominant, they can be brutal. We are just trying to warn you so you are prepared, both literally(housing for birds) and figuratively(your emotions).

 

[Matilda Belle]

I'm keeping them for eggs and pets. I appreciate you being honest with me. I have seen some aggression, but it's pretty minimal yet. At least now i know what to expect and can prepare for the worst. Thanks again.

 

[Trux]

I'm keeping them for eggs and pets. I appreciate you being honest with me. I have seen some aggression, but it's pretty minimal yet. At least now i know what to expect and can prepare for the worst. Thanks again.

Just look at them like mini velocaraptors like aart says they can be brutal

 

[Trux]

One or two? Can't I keep them all?

You can...however, are they all from the same parents? If so I would look into either getting girls from a different breeder, or getting a different cockerel. Either way chicken math is in your future!

 

[MrsWayne]

I'm glad this thread was started. It has answered some questions I have. Looks like I have to separate my cockerels from my pullets after all. I didn't plan on two roosters, but that's what I ended up with. The RI is just beating my Golden Comets to death.

 

[Mrs. K]

Wishing and hoping roosters will be nice does not work. Always solve for peace in the flock. cockerels harassing pullets is very stressful, cockerels fighting each other is very stressful, and cockerels attacking humans are very stressful.

As stated, you can try what you want, but have a plan B up and ready to go....now. Roosters are a crap shoot, not all of them turn out, and they can go from the darling to the nightmare in what seems like an instant to an inexperienced poultry person.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

You might find this article helpful if you do separate your roosters- https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/rooster-flocks.72998/