Should I take in 2 orphaned Roosters?

[countrygirl57]

A neighbour called me today & asked me if I wanted 2 Roosters. Apparently when hurricane Igor blew in our area a few weeks ago, they fould them roosting in the trees.
They haven't found out who owns them. I have read of the dangers of introducing new birds to my 22 hens. I searched your site & couldn't find what I had read earlier.
I would really like to have a rooster as we had had a couple of visits from mink.

Any suggestions, I would really appreciate, as I only have had hens for a year.

 

[Hottchick]

If you decided to take them they would need to be isolated. There's plenty on here about it.

 

[turtlynne]

I am no expert and am not sure any 'roo will be protection for your 'girls' from a mink...but I believe minks can be as wily and ferocious as foxes so I would not necessarily get a 'roo for 'protection'...on the other hand my one 'roo adds a lot to my flock in amusement; 2 roosters might fight; they can be pretty aggressive about their own 'harems'...so 2 might not be a good idea but one might be fun! (and one for the pot!)(roosters in the pot is a reality of chicken life)

 

[gryeyes]

I'm such a softie. I would take in the roosters. I'd quarantine 'em, but I'd take 'em in. I have too many roosters as it is, but they don't fight 'cause they've all grown up here.... and I integrate the youngsters as they grow up...

I'd use the same integration methods, though.

You have plenty of hens for two roosters - the recommendation for fertility purposes is 10 hens to 1 rooster. Sounds like you're good to go! Give those boys a good home!

 

[bburn]

......and search on here for quarantining new chickens and lots of stuff will come up....I did it when I brought my new girls home. 2 1/2 weeks left....

 

[tammyd57]

Yes, do quarantine! You have no idea where those roos came from and they may have disease/parasites that you don't want to spread to your girls. 30 days quarantine should do it. Watch them for any nasal discharge or anything odd looking with their eyes, any coughing sneezing, swellings, bugs. If they have anything it can be treated while being kept away from your girls. It is great to be able to give a home to roos who need a place (AND hens!) and I would do it myself. Just be careful not to risk your existing flock while rescuing the boys.

ETA: I'm not sure a roo would be a match for a mink or not. Most roos will SACRIFICE themselves to give the hens time to escape. I don't call that protection, I call it a waste of a good roo.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
Agreed!

I do agree with the above posters in that a rooster will not protect your hens from a mink, though, other than by maybe sacrificing himself. I'd take these guys in, but find a different solution for the mink problem as well. Perhaps time to beef up coop security?

 

[pgpoultry]

I agree with the other posts about roosters and minks. Minks are vicious. Last Spring a mink bit the neck (and killed) a newborn lamb inside our barn.

 

[dsqard]

I love having my rooster and if I didn't have one I would probably take both of them in if I had that many hens. That being said, please follow the advice you read on here about quarantine! I have read so many threads on here from people who did not wait and wound up losing a lot of previously healthy chickens. Make sure there is no way for your current flock to come in contact with the new roosters until you are absolutely sure they are healthy. Also do a search on how to integrate if you haven't done this before. I find (in my limited experience) a slow introduction period where there is plenty of room for any chicken to run away from being picked on works really well! Good luck to you!

 

[spish]

i have 12 roos now and wouldnt be without them (((((roosters))))) i know the girls give me eggs but my roos are just so full of personality its amazing!