To many roosters, bachelor pen.

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I posted some photos of my set up, did you get a chance to look? do you thing it would be enough?

It looked great to me, more than enough for 12 roosters. How many feeders and waterers are you planning to have in it?

and adding new rooster is doable? At some point I hope I will be able to rescue roosters, but that far down the road.

My roosters are bantams, cochins and easter egger being the most dominant, but the easter roo is with no doubt #1. He keeps an eye on everyone, both hens and roos, he lets everyone eat and he keeps guard and in the evening he makes sure everyone gets back into the enclosure at decent time. I know he means well. I appreciate his effort, but I don't appreciate his technique. He gets a bit rough. When will their true colors show? they are now 4 month? How much time do I have to build the second run? A month?

Adding new roosters is absolutely doable, though sometimes you have to keep them in a smaller pen within the bigger pen so they can get to know the other roosters a bit before introducing them.

Almost all of my chickens are rescues; it's very rewarding.
If you do end up rescuing some roosters, just remember to quarantine them for a month or two. I've had several that came infested with mites, which was rather unpleasant to treat. Also, always have a backup plan for roosters who don't do well with your rooster flock, especially if the rooster was previously a bully to other roosters.

A cockerel is a fully matured rooster at 1 year old. Usually, though, you can tell a bit earlier whether he'll be good with hens. Since a lot of your chickens are bantams(?) you should probably be fine for a bit, but I would try to build that run as soon as possible. 12 cockerels is quite a lot for 10 pullets.

 

[MROO]

Also, what would you suggest as hide outs? more branches? or some dog houses?

A couple of dog houses, an open rabbit hutch, a piece of plywood leaned against a couple of crates or logs. Also, think "eclectic garden ornaments:" a bench, an old chair with a flower pot in the seat, a bicycle wheel with a plant growing through it, a cluster of stepped logs on end (think boat pilings) a large tire (tall enough to hide behind) with a dust-bath in it. If you go the tire route, be sure to drill a few holes in the bottom to let the ran through, or you'll have mucho mosquitos!
An inexpensive way to create a "digging barrier" is to dig a narrow trench (maybe 5-6 inches) and at least that deep, right up against the edge of your run fence. Fill it with a dry concrete mix, hose and mix it in place 'til it's all wet but not runny. Let it harden at least a day and mound dirt back over the top. Instant barrier. We did our run that way, using just a bag or two at a time.

 

[MROO]

Not sure how to post videos, I am trying to post my cochin trying to crow at week 3. too cute!

OhMaGosh! That's absolutely PRICELESS!!!!!

 

[MROO]

how do I reduce aggression?

Ample feeding and watering stations and lots of boredom busters.

 

[microchick]

Scanning this thread rapidly.

I have a rooster pen for my extra bantam and bantam mix boys. I have a flock of 45 to 50 of the little boogers and about half are roosters. Things that I'e learned is 1) they are still going to fight with one another in the bachelor pen as they work out their group status. 2) they are going to be doing everything in their power to escape and rejoin their girls. I had one little guy last summer that no matter what I did, He would find a way to break through fencing or netting and roost with my Buff Os and Wellys. I finally named him Little S***, because that is what I would call him as I chased him down and put him back in the bachelor pen. He is beyond the doubt one of the ugliest little OEGB roosters I've ever seen and I love him dearly to the point that I granted him permanent breeding status with the hens. Determined genes like his need to be passed on. 3) see #1.

Right now I have them intigrated with my main bantam flock for the winter. They aren't quite as rambunctious right now going through molt and winter around the corner. Plus we have harsh winters and the little pure bred OEGBs need the body heat to keep warm. By the end of January I will be pulling out the bulk of the extra boys and they will go back in the bachelor pen. I'll probably still have too many boys in with the girls but I'm a softy and the pure breds tend to stay with the smaller cross breds and pure bred hens while the larger cross breds tend to stay with the larger cross hens.

I am a rooster fan myself. Good luck with your rooster coop plans.

 

[HuskerHens18]

@RoostersAreAwesome is right, I have 3 Rooster flocks all containing over 10 roosters.
I took out ALL cockerels, they are too rough when going through their "phase". If you're wanting to keep a male with your pullets at all times, pick a more dominant rooster.
Dominant doesn't mean "vicious", so if they're hurting your pullets they are not a good choice. A dominant rooster makes the hens submit, but doesn't attack, chase, or force himself on her while she screams and struggles. And trust me, it's kind of hard to find that perfect boy. It's good to experiment, and interesting to observe.

A little fighting at first is normal, blood brawls are NOT! Allow there to be room and places to run/hide for the submitting rooster. After watching my roos interact for so long, it is better to interfere and break up fights to stop potential bloodshed.
I prefer the spray/hose method, but when it's cold don't do that. An empty bucket is enough, just lightly whack them away from eachother. Until they give up jumping at each other.
Make sure there are multiple waterers and feeders, that eliminates drama. Make sure there are LOTS of roosts, this way nervous or mean boys can sleep away from ones they may not like at first. Eventually they will roost together like a happy flock.

I don't know your life schedule, but I sat for probably 30 minutes at a time in the rooster flock pen observing who's top dog and who's the omega several times a day.
Give treats and make everything a happy experience for the boys, they will also warm up to you as well!!

Cockerels are spunky, expect some extra drama while they mature into roosters. Just be ready with blu-kote and spare dog kennels to make a see-but-no-touch scenario if they start getting bloody. If the cockerels turn on YOU, don't panic. They have overactive hormones and just need discipline, they'll tame down. That's why if you interfere with fights, don't use your hand or foot!!! Use something long distance so they don't associate you with fighting. Make sure to hold them and bring treats often so they know you are a friend!

This is how I do things anyway.
I left 2 dominate roosters with my main flock. They are very protective and will challenge danger to your girls such as hawks and other predators. Finding 2 cooperate dominate roosters is hard, but not impossible. I LOVE having 2 roosters, my girls are so much safer.
My rooster flocks are LOTS of fun, and like attention!

I have 2 Houdans who will not accept new cockerels to the flock, if you run into this you either make a new rooster flock or rehome/eat the mean ones, I chose to make new flocks. And I do let bantams and standards coexist, just monitor them closely.

 

[Lidiapac730]

@RoostersAreAwesome is right, I have 3 Rooster flocks all containing over 10 roosters.
I took out ALL cockerels, they are too rough when going through their "phase". If you're wanting to keep a male with your pullets at all times, pick a more dominant rooster.
Dominant doesn't mean "vicious", so if they're hurting your pullets they are not a good choice. A dominant rooster makes the hens submit, but doesn't attack, chase, or force himself on her while she screams and struggles. And trust me, it's kind of hard to find that perfect boy. It's good to experiment, and interesting to observe.

A little fighting at first is normal, blood brawls are NOT! Allow there to be room and places to run/hide for the submitting rooster. After watching my roos interact for so long, it is better to interfere and break up fights to stop potential bloodshed.
I prefer the spray/hose method, but when it's cold don't do that. An empty bucket is enough, just lightly whack them away from eachother. Until they give up jumping at each other.
Make sure there are multiple waterers and feeders, that eliminates drama. Make sure there are LOTS of roosts, this way nervous or mean boys can sleep away from ones they may not like at first. Eventually they will roost together like a happy flock.

I don't know your life schedule, but I sat for probably 30 minutes at a time in the rooster flock pen observing who's top dog and who's the omega several times a day.
Give treats and make everything a happy experience for the boys, they will also warm up to you as well!!

Cockerels are spunky, expect some extra drama while they mature into roosters. Just be ready with blu-kote and spare dog kennels to make a see-but-no-touch scenario if they start getting bloody. If the cockerels turn on YOU, don't panic. They have overactive hormones and just need discipline, they'll tame down. That's why if you interfere with fights, don't use your hand or foot!!! Use something long distance so they don't associate you with fighting. Make sure to hold them and bring treats often so they know you are a friend!

This is how I do things anyway.
I left 2 dominate roosters with my main flock. They are very protective and will challenge danger to your girls such as hawks and other predators. Finding 2 cooperate dominate roosters is hard, but not impossible. I LOVE having 2 roosters, my girls are so much safer.
My rooster flocks are LOTS of fun, and like attention!

I have 2 Houdans who will not accept new cockerels to the flock, if you run into this you either make a new rooster flock or rehome/eat the mean ones, I chose to make new flocks. And I do let bantams and standards coexist, just monitor them closely.

Thank you so much for all the info, I feel better now about my rooster flock, because for a moment there I was in tears... I will take all the suggestions and try to make it work. I am just looking at them all and they are getting along so nicely now, all hanging out together, sunbathing... creating one giant chicken pancake... lol It's hard to think they might turn on one another... I have another question, I have a couple of seramas, she just hatched 3 eggs a month ago, when she went broody I have her fake eggs, but I guess she had some of hers too... The chicks are now 4 weeks, Can you tell boys from girls?
Chick #1

Chick #2

Chick #3

The pictures were taken at 4 week mark. (knowing my luck, they are all roos... lol)

 

[Lidiapac730]

close up of chicks # 2 and 3

 

[Lidiapac730]

Parents:

 

[Lidiapac730]

It looked great to me, more than enough for 12 roosters. How many feeders and waterers are you planning to have in it?

Adding new roosters is absolutely doable, though sometimes you have to keep them in a smaller pen within the bigger pen so they can get to know the other roosters a bit before introducing them.

Almost all of my chickens are rescues; it's very rewarding.
If you do end up rescuing some roosters, just remember to quarantine them for a month or two. I've had several that came infested with mites, which was rather unpleasant to treat. Also, always have a backup plan for roosters who don't do well with your rooster flock, especially if the rooster was previously a bully to other roosters.

A cockerel is a fully matured rooster at 1 year old. Usually, though, you can tell a bit earlier whether he'll be good with hens. Since a lot of your chickens are bantams(?) you should probably be fine for a bit, but I would try to build that run as soon as possible. 12 cockerels is quite a lot for 10 pullets.

I will set up as many feeders as needed. After all the suggestions I feel a little bit better about my roosters. I hope it will all work, wish me luck!