Too Many Roosters in the Hen House

[Bird Lady Outlaw]

Heyyyyy Ya'll Im Amanda and I'm brand new to raising chickens and this group. I thought I'd reach out for advice. I have 2 subjects to touch on. First, I bought 8 chicks from Tractor Supply and was led to believe they were all sex link. Turns out I have 4 roosters. Ive heard its not a good idea to have too many roosters. HELP! Also theyre 4 wks and growing too big for the brooder. Can they come out? I bought a decent coop and made them a pretty big run out of chain link fence. its about 4 ft tall. Will they fly out? And what should I use in the coop? Pine or straw? What about the grass in the run? Cover that also? I'm sorry 1000 questions here Maybe I should get Raising Chickens for Dummies bahaha

 

[shartnett5]

Welcome to BYC. I LOVE this site for chicken questions. There are a lot of good threads to read in the beginner area for new chicl questions. And the coop construction threads really helped me out. I will try to copy links in a min.

 

[Parront]

Hi and welcome! I am pretty new on here, too. I have had birds and chickens a lot of years, just not online! Too many roosters is right! Most towns do not allow any!

 

[Parront]

Depending on your weather, 3 weeks is a great age to progress from the brooder to coop! You do not want them to get wet, keep them inside the coop for the first week at least. Then let them in the yard in the afternoon when it is warm and sunny and enjoy the chicken antics!

 

[Bird Lady Outlaw]

Awesome!! Thanks

 

[Parront]

Awesome!! Thanks

Watch them when you put them in the coop, if the peep loudly and huddle too much, they are cold and might still need their brooder light.

 

[Bird Lady Outlaw]

Hi and welcome! I am pretty new on here, too. I have had birds and chickens a lot of years, just not online! Too many roosters is right! Most towns do not allow any!

I have 5 kids. Im wondering if I should have any. Ive heard they can get pretty aggressive. I hate to say it but we may have to eat the roosters one day, i honestly dont think anyone would want to take 4 roosters off our hands! Idk what to do lol

 

[sourland]

Hi, Amanda, welcome to BYC. Four roosters is at least 3 and maybe 4 too many. They can be moved outside, and eventually depending upon the breed may very well fly out as they mature. Pen should be covered to protect from predation. Pine or straw - your choice. They will 'take care' of the grass. Good luck with your flock.

 

[Bird Lady Outlaw]

Watch them when you put them in the coop, if the peep loudly and huddle too much, they are cold and might still need their brooder light.

I was wondering if i should move that brooder light into the coop to help keep em warm. Im in northern wv. It gets cold in the winter but sadly we dont see too much snow anymore

 

[Bird Lady Outlaw]

Hi, Amanda, welcome to BYC. Four roosters is at least 3 and maybe 4 too many. They can be moved outside, and eventually depending upon the breed may very well fly out as they mature. Pen should be covered to protect from predation. Pine or straw - your choice. They will 'take care' of the grass. Good luck with your flock.

Thanks! Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I wouldnt know what to do with them