Too many roosters

[CWTimothy]

Today was a bit sad. First time chicken raiser.

Had 19 chickens. 1 of them, a gorgeous Americana rooster had developed early and established himself as the head of the flock. We also, oddly somehow got a small bantam rooster(named “Turkey”). He is tiny, but was weirdly the Americanas “deputy”.

As time progressed, the Americana was attacking hens repeatedly and I was noticing more and more of them starting to hide in the house in fear. He was also starting to make attempts to attack me and my kids. It was time to go.

The second I separated him from the flock, we heard a brand new crow. There were four others we weren’t sure if they were roosters, but the new crow confirmed it. Also, as soon as the Americana was separated, 1 of the 4 other roosters, named Spot, immediately started to go after Turkey. The 4 roosters are large and strong compared to Turkey. Decided either I choose 3 more to go, or they would. So we kept Spot and Turkey.

Really sucks because Spot and Turkey are extremely friendly for roosters. Both oddly sit on our laps. Confess we are emotionally attached to those two due to their being so friendly. But my fear is Spot will kill Turkey when we aren’t around, now that he is charge.

 

[sourland]

Unless the bantam has hiding places that the larger rooster can not access, he may very well end up getting killed.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

A one roo flock is excellent. The roosters don't fight and there isn't pressure.

 

[CWTimothy]

Unless the bantam has hiding places that the larger rooster can not access, he may very well end up getting killed.

Yea. I figured that was the answer. Just sucks cause he is the friendliest little dude in the flock. Whole family really loves him. But don’t know what do with him. The other 4 was tough to get rid of. He is way tougher.

 

[I_Call_Fowl]

I have two silky roos and they’ve had a couple of bad fights but my flock sounds an alarm and my turkeys usually break it up. Lately, they have established their pecking order and Rocky has a few hens and Alpha has the rest. Rocky does all the food alarm sounding and giving and Alpha does the majority of the dancing. Both breed constantly as in year round but they have both stopped fighting. So we are rare but my boys have acquiesced. Fingers crossed!
The few times they got bloody, they both came in and were bathed, blow dried, and cuddled. We kept them separate for one night.

 

[Mrs. K]

Keep turkey and let spot go?

 

[CWTimothy]

Keep turkey and let spot go?

We love both of them. Already got rid of 4 chickens and that was hard, I cant with those 2 roosters. Decided to let nature do its thing, and have my fingers crossed Spot will let Turkey be the beta in the flock, especially since they grew up with each other. I know it may not happen, but im going to live in potentially false hope.

 

[Henfla]

We love both of them. Already got rid of 4 chickens and that was hard, I cant with those 2 roosters. Decided to let nature do its thing, and have my fingers crossed Spot will let Turkey be the beta in the flock, especially since they grew up with each other. I know it may not happen, but im going to live in potentially false hope.

Wouldn't it be more sad if Turkey got killed and suffered rather than giving one of them away to a good home? You should think about what is best for your chickens, and it's not best for Turkey to be pecked to his death.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

We love both of them. Already got rid of 4 chickens and that was hard, I cant with those 2 roosters. Decided to let nature do its thing, and have my fingers crossed Spot will let Turkey be the beta in the flock, especially since they grew up with each other. I know it may not happen, but im going to live in potentially false hope.

You should do what your chickens need and not what you want in this case.

 

[McChooky]

The #1 rule in Homesteading and raising livestock is knowing when to cull for the good of the flock. Nobody said it was easy but its better than letting nature run its course.