Should I isolate? Need advice please!

[Clucking_Crazy]

I need help/advice on how to proceed with my young flock pertaining to the roosters in particular.

I have a minimum of 2 roosters out of 16 chicks.... but I suspect another couple could turn into roosters as well. The chicks are 6-7 weeks, and an assortment of breeds - so some are wait-and-sees. We will only be keeping one rooster in the end.

We are moving them from the 10x10 dog kennel/run in the garage where they have been brooding, to out in their coop today (8x8). We will then be using that dog run combined with another dog run to construct their 30x10 foot chicken run. (Yes it will be reinforced with smaller wire and all that, just the dog run would be same cost as wood for framing & saves a lot of time too!)

I have been reading that sometimes it is best to separate the rooster(s) from the flock until they are more mature. The head rooster (started crowing this week at 6 weeks old!) is starting to be a little too rough with the ladies, especially the ones that are bigger than him. It's like he is challenging them when they are trying to mind their own business. While we are putting up the run I have the option to put the one extra dog run panel (one with a gate) into the run itself to create a sectioned off area. This would essentially make it a 10x20 foot run, with a 10x10 extension on the end. When no one is being isolated the gate can be left open for them to use the full 30' length.

So questions are:
Should I make my isolation pen much smaller than the purposed 10x10? I can easily do that at this time too- just using welded wire instead of the run panel.

Should I isolate the 2 known roos together? Either way, if another roo pops up... would I be able to add it to the bachelor pen at that time, or no? Remember in the end, only one roo stays, and only if he can behave himself.

Do i put up a tarp so they can't see the hens, or no?

I appreciate any help or advice you all have! I should add that putting that extra dog panel into the run, will most likely stay in there. It'll be stuck!

Sorry for the extra long post!

 

[azygous]

You're very wise to be considering building a confinement section into your run. You won't be sorry. It will come in handy for so many things, it will amaze you. Ten by ten is generous. My jail is about four feet by eight, and it's proved to be entirely adequate.

Six weeks is a bit young to be needing to segregate a young cockerel. It would probably take only a couple of days of discipline to get this chick toned down. Just poke him on the back when you see him misbehave. Spend about five minutes at a stretch at this. No need to hover all day.

Once a cockerel comes into his hormones, around four months, then you can segregate him during the daytime. He will be content to watch and talk to the girls through the fence. I have a nearly one-year old cockerel that spends much of the day either outside the run looking in, or else he's in the jail if it's bad weather. He's certainly not warped by it, and it really does help keep the peace.

 

[Clucking_Crazy]

Thanks for your advice! I thought the 10x10 would be overkill, but it's nice to get a second opinion!

And I'll wait before segregating if I can, maybe the new digs and run will keep them busy & peaceful! Thanks again!

 

[aart]

maybe the new digs and run will keep them busy & peaceful!

Giving them more space will definitely help....
....especially if there's lots of things to climb on and under.

Both pullet and cockerel chicks will spar and peck,
either can get aggressive if crowded,
they are too young to be truly 'hormonal' yet.

The separate enclosure is a great thing to have, make the separator something easy to take up and down, or put a door in it so you can use it open or separated.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[Clucking_Crazy]

Yes, sorry, I'm still learning. They are all pullets and two cockerels. The cockerels are both Welsummers that are 6 weeks old. The naughty one has been crowing for almost a week and is bigger than the other.

 

[aart]

Yes, sorry, I'm still learning.

No problem!
Many are here to teach!
Let us know how it goes when you get them out into the coop and bigger run.