Separating the flock

[docdubz]

I'm getting ready to move my birds to their new coop. The coop has 2 separate 90 square foot pens in it. Would it be a bad idea to divide the flock and put all the cockerels that aren't going to "make the cut" in a separate pen?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a great idea. Get them out of the flock before they start making troubles. I currently have 5 penned up for now until I decide on them.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Not at all! I've seen many people do this with good results. I personally don't need to do this as I don't have roosters but would definitely do this if I did. I'd say go for it

 

[docdubz]

Alright cool. My main concern was that if I remove the 6 cockerels that might screw up the pecking order for the 3 that I keep. Which, that number might change to 7 and 2. I was going to keep one of my white rocks but I'm starting to suspect they might all be trouble makers.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

You never know with roosters so I'd sell/cull/separate them all. Do get more birds as 3 birds is too little

 

[aart]

I'm getting ready to move my birds to their new coop. The coop has 2 separate 90 square foot pens in it. Would it be a bad idea to divide the flock and put all the cockerels that aren't going to "make the cut" in a separate pen?

Are they all cockerels?
How old, in weeks or months?
What are your goals?

 

[black_cat]

I"m a bit unclear-how many cockerels do you have? Are the majority the ones you're talking about separating? How many hens? How many adult roos? Is this a bachelor flock?

 

[Mrs. K]

Well you are right, as you cull the cockerels, behavior and pecking order will shift, predicting future behavior, based on behavior now is very unpredictable. Remove the ones you don’t want, wait and see. Then cull again, wait and see.

 

[NatJ]

Alright cool. My main concern was that if I remove the 6 cockerels that might screw up the pecking order for the 3 that I keep. Which, that number might change to 7 and 2. I was going to keep one of my white rocks but I'm starting to suspect they might all be trouble makers.

Culling them would change the pecking order anyway.
Putting them in a separate pen will give you a preview of how the flock will function without those ones. That's good, because if you really don't like how the keepers behave, you can swap out for one that you had intended to cull and see if that's better.

Are the 9 cockerels the only birds in the flock, or are there also pullets in the group too?

 

[docdubz]

Culling them would change the pecking order anyway.
Putting them in a separate pen will give you a preview of how the flock will function without those ones. That's good, because if you really don't like how the keepers behave, you can swap out for one that you had intended to cull and see if that's better.

Are the 9 cockerels the only birds in the flock, or are there also pullets in the group too?

There are 9 cockerels and 5 pullets. Straight run was the only option when I got them and I didn't luck out so well. The 3 "keepers" would be remaining with the pullets, unless there is a behavior problem. I have 23 more chicks in the brooder right now and it's looking at least 15 are pullets.

Is this a bachelor flock?

There are 5 pullets in the current flock but the ones that I'd be separating I'd be keeping as a bachelor flock until they grow out a bit more.