Tom keeping?

[dbone]

ok, cool. they only have a few months left really. They eat so much.
I didnt really know much about all the different breads untill right before i bought these from our local feed store. maybe next year i will special order some day old poults...different breeds.
I just thought three would be good cause we have so many preditors here, if i lost one at least i would have two. I really didnt think they would fight, or i didnt think about the possibility of them fighting. i have them in a 4x4x4 coop, with a 8x16 run and they are allowed to roam the yard when i am home.

 

[ivan3]

If you have a lot of predators they'll need some protection (all heritage breeds fly - adult toms not so much).

This is a good thread with most of the particulars: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=92240

They are very social birds and, when not overtaken by hormonal necessity (breeding season), they are quicker on the uptake than advertised.

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
Honestly, they might get along great, so I wouldn't worry about it. If it happens, you'll notice and fix the problem then. As I mentioned before, when birds are raised together, they seem to have the pecking order worked out and they don't usually fight with each other. If they do, it's not that big of a deal other than you *might* have to separate them.

 

[dbone]

ok, thanks...it seems hard to believe that they would fight since they act like a trio of triplets.

 

[chickenannie]

It's just a maturity thing -- once they hit "that" age, the hormones kick in.

 

[bkvail]

Quote:
what age is ''that'' age when the hormones kick in? I have 4 BBB's - 2 toms/jakes, 2 hens raised together from hatching. They are just about 3 months old now (and probably 20 lbs already I'm guessing! They eat a LOOOT!)

 

[Struttn1]

I have 4 toms (a 3 year old, a two year old and 2 one year olds) and they fight almost everyday. Somedays they are just little squirmishes but on other days it gets bloody and goes on for hours.