- Apr 2, 2008
- 57
- 2
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I purchased 10 chicks this spring with the intention of having a nice flock of 5-7 hens.I planned on culling any that turned out to be roosters. I lost one at a few months old due to sour crop and now have 9 lovely birds, only one is a rooster! I feel lucky I got so many hens but now have a dilema. My coop is not huge and I don't think my hens will be able to free range due to the nieghbours dogs. I think 9 birds of any sex might be slightly too many, although they seem fine so far.
When I had my last batch of chickens I didn't have a rooster so I've never dealt with one before. I never even considered keeping a rooster, but I actually really like my guy and am now having second thoughts about culling him. I like hearing him crow on the farm and he is the smartest of the bunch, going in and out of the flap door while the hens are too squeamish of the flaps touching them.
My questions are, will be become more aggressive? Right now he is not aggresive with me or the hens. He is about 4 months old.
Will the hens lay less with a rooster around? Will he start bothering the hens once they start laying? Will they be more likely to go broody with him? I would love to hatch some babies, but realistically I just don't have room. My intention having chickens was always just for eggs, not to raise them or expand at all.
I would appreciate any advice on whether I should keep him or eat/rehome.
Thanks!
When I had my last batch of chickens I didn't have a rooster so I've never dealt with one before. I never even considered keeping a rooster, but I actually really like my guy and am now having second thoughts about culling him. I like hearing him crow on the farm and he is the smartest of the bunch, going in and out of the flap door while the hens are too squeamish of the flaps touching them.
My questions are, will be become more aggressive? Right now he is not aggresive with me or the hens. He is about 4 months old.
Will the hens lay less with a rooster around? Will he start bothering the hens once they start laying? Will they be more likely to go broody with him? I would love to hatch some babies, but realistically I just don't have room. My intention having chickens was always just for eggs, not to raise them or expand at all.
I would appreciate any advice on whether I should keep him or eat/rehome.
Thanks!