The mean rooster gets the ax. And do you thin down your flock before winter?

[Fred's Hens]

Thinning out for winter is SOP here as well. All the roosters will be eaten as will any non-productive, older hen. The flock gets reduced big time before Thanksgiving.

Three kinds of birds get carried through the winter. First year pullets for their winter laying abilities, select second year pullets, and all heritage birds selected for potential breeders next spring.

 

[SkyWarrior]

My problem is which roos to cull. I have too many, and I need to consider it. Pistol, my oldest roo, is a fave, but I'm honestly not sure if he is hitting the mark, so to speak. He also has a very overhanging beak, but it doesn't seem to bother his eating. Piper and Squawk are better roos.

So here is my current list of roos:

2 Barnevelder roos.

My Three main roos
Pistol (EE) 1 year old
Squawk (Olive Egger) 8 months
Piper (EEx) 8 months

Roos I still like and want:
Olive Egger--friend gave me. I think less than 1 year old
Red/while EE -- Really like him. Want to keep him for a bit.

Roos who are going to freezer camp:

LeghornxAustralorp
BR
EE (marked like Pistol)
Barnevelder

I really should get down to 2 Barnevelders and 3 main roos. I will probably rotate Pistol out to the goat pen to hang out with the birds that need to go to freezer camp and stick eggs in the incubator. Actually, I should reduce the roos further, but it is so hard to decide.

Now that I've gotten rid of the mean roo, I've got to reduce the mouths to feed. Thoughts? Suggestions?

ADDED: OMG, I really have 11 roos?

 

[BusyBlonde]

We'll be reducing our flock before winter. Out of the 8 Marans I have, 6 are roosters - ouch! I'd like to keep two, the black copper and the splash, but two roosters to two hens isn't a good ratio. Although I could put a few BR hens with them to keep them happy...

We've got 24 BR hens all between 5 months to 1-1/2 years, I'll probably downsize to 12 or 15. The 2 BR roos are great, only 1-1/2 years, so I'm keeping them. I have 3 chicks our broody hatched, I'll probably keep the 2 pullets and the cockerel will be dinner one night when he gets a bit more size to him.