Too many roosters hatched

[calrose]

Four months ago I incubated some chicks (my first time) The 1st batch, out of 6 eggs, only 1 hatched, a rooster. 2nd. batch 4 eggs, all hatched, 2 roosters, 2 hens. The young roosters seem to be getting along fine (for now) but I have them separated from the daddy rooster, and his harem. Not sure what to do with these young guys. Too many roosters, not enough hens. Any suggestions? Hate to kill them, but don't want them fighting either. What a dilemma! Maybe buy more hens? Ugh!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Four months ago I incubated some chicks (my first time) The 1st batch, out of 6 eggs, only 1 hatched, a rooster. 2nd. batch 4 eggs, all hatched, 2 roosters, 2 hens. The young roosters seem to be getting along fine (for now) but I have them separated from the daddy rooster, and his harem. Not sure what to do with these young guys. Too many roosters, not enough hens. Any suggestions? Hate to kill them, but don't want them fighting either. What a dilemma! Maybe buy more hens? Ugh!

Make a Bachelor Pad if you are able too.

 

[calrose]

This is a mixed breed bunch. Daddy Roo is a New Hampshire Red, one mom is a Buff Orpington, another mom is a Road Island Red. Not sure that makes any difference. Having the roosters separated from the hens might work, would they still fight amongst themselves without hens in the coop? Hmmm...

 

[MysteryChicken]

This is a mixed breed bunch. Daddy Roo is a New Hampshire Red, one mom is a Buff Orpington, another mom is a Road Island Red. Not sure that makes any difference. Having the roosters separated from the hens might work, would they still fight amongst themselves without hens in the coop? Hmmm...

They will fight for pecking order, & nothing more then that, as long as they're out of sight of the hens.

 

[Ryguy3684]

I always find a home for extra roosters. Free on Craigslist or local chicken Facebook page. The farms in my area will always take a good rooster to watch over the hens. Two hatches ago, I got 7 out of 9 males and was able to get rid of them in less than a week.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you plan on continuing to hatch? You should always have a plan for all the birds (males and females) beforehand.

If you plan on keeping the males, do you have the space and budget for a separate coop and run for a bachelor pen for the males?

You mentioned getting more hens. Do you have the space and budget for possibly around 10 additional hens per rooster, or multiple coops and runs to house separate "family" groups?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have a friend who gets a new batch of chicks every spring, and I'm always happy to take her extra cockerels. But I don't need them to look after my hens, I don't have that many. Young cockerels go in my freezer to await their invitation to dinner.

 

[calrose]

Do you plan on continuing to hatch? You should always have a plan for all the birds (males and females) beforehand.

If you plan on keeping the males, do you have the space and budget for a separate coop and run for a bachelor pen for the males?

You mentioned getting more hens. Do you have the space and budget for possibly around 10 additional hens per rooster, or multiple coops and runs to house separate "family" groups?

I have a friend who gets a new batch of chicks every spring, and I'm always happy to take her extra cockerels. But I don't need them to look after my hens, I don't have that many. Young cockerels go in my freezer to await their invitation to dinner.

Thanks for the advise. I can see how people start with a few chickens, and then their flock grows beyond what they anticipated fairly quickly. My friend gave me his rooster cause he couldn't keep it, that is when I fun began. I do have a few separate coops and runs for the older and younger ones. But will have to rethink living arrangements as they get a bit bigger. Craigslist is another good alternative. Hmm, never thought about eating roosters. Heard they don't taste good. Maybe depends on the breed?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks for the advise. I can see how people start with a few chickens, and then their flock grows beyond what they anticipated fairly quickly. My friend gave me his rooster cause he couldn't keep it, that is when I fun began. I do have a few separate coops and runs for the older and younger ones. But will have to rethink living arrangements as they get a bit bigger. Craigslist is another good alternative. Hmm, never thought about eating roosters. Heard they don't taste good. Maybe depends on the breed?

We have eaten Easter Eggers, Black Australorps and some barnyard mixes. The first few were not wonderful because I was told to put them in the freezer immediately after processing. They were somewhat dry and tasteless. But then folks here at BYC set me straight. They said to leave them in the fridge for three or four days first. This lets rigor pass and lets the meat relax. We've been much happier with the results since then. I'd wager at least 50% of the chickens you buy at the grocery store are cockerels. They are bigger than your backyard cockerels because they are meat birds, and processed several weeks younger, but chicken ... pretty much tastes like chicken.

 

[K0k0shka]

You don't want to kill them, but if you rehome them on Craigslist or whatever they'll most likely end up being killed for their meat anyway. So if that is their likely fate, might as well do it yourself and eat a delicious meal. Homegrown meat always tastes better to me. Muscle that gets used develops more flavor! Also gets tougher. Homegrown meat is more flavorful, but tougher. That fall-apart meat from the store is so tender because the birds can't move and don't use their muscles (either because they're caged too tight or because meat birds are too anatomically F-ed up to stand up and move, so they lie around all day). So you can't cook a homegrown bird the way you'd cook a store-bought one, especially the white meat. It's better in a soup or stew, or rotisseried. My husband does sous vide and it's to die for! Look it up, there are ways to do it, and it's totally worth it!