Two secret roosters - divvy up the hens?

[dpnation]

Struggling a bit with two unexpected roosters, hoping they can coexist but would appreciate some tips.

Secret rooster #1 - 1 year old, came with 5 hens from one farm around 3 months old. Also integrated in the flock are 4 more hens we raised from babies who are a month or so younger. Altogether, 10 chickens.

Secret rooster #2 - a silkie! He was born in the fall, came to us in November around 3 months old. He came with a Polish and another non-descript hen. Altogether 3 chickens here, probably around 8 months old at this point.

Both roosters were supposed to be hens

The younger 3 chickens have been getting picked on by the older chickens. Rooster #1 (or one of the meaner hens) definitely attacked one of the young hens in a nesting box - drawing blood. The Polish is picked on by both rooster #1 and the older hens. During the day they are mostly okay free ranging, though they do occasionally get into tiffs. I do not let them mix if they are confined to the coop. I have them roosting separately at night. I think the presence of a second rooster isn't helping the younger birds integrate, but I love Silkies and he's a good boy so I don't want to part with him ideally. My spouse loves Rooster #1 so we are kind of stuck.

I took a suggestion for the Polish getting picked on and just got a few more pullets with a poofy head. We just got 4 6-week old pullets today - another Polish and a Mottled Houdan for the fancy head feathers and two others. For now I am quarantining them, but wonder how flock dynamics are going to play out. Do I mix the pullets with the younger chickens and let Rooster #2 have his own flock? Will I have to keep them separated from flock #1 indefinitely?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I have found that Silkies do not generally mix well with standard hens. They are low to the ground, slow of foot with all the foot feathers, and waddle rather than running.

I've not had Polish, but they too are smaller with poofy heads that are just to tempting for larger birds to peck.

I would personally put your Silkie in with the Polish together with mild mannered hens that are being picked on in the other flock. Your young chicks will likely be hazed by the more aggressive hens until they are bigger, generally at least 12 weeks. At point of lay pullets tend to find their place in the pecking order. You can decide who stays where then. You will need to decide if the chicks are safe in the Silkie/Polish pen, or need their own little pen until they are older. If you give them hide-aways, they should be able to integrate with milder chickens, so the Silkie/Polish pen could work.

So yes. Keep 2 flocks. One with specialty and low rung on the order, the other your standard flock.

If anyone is really aggressive (ie draws blood, goes in for the kill), remove them completely from your flock. You can re-home, but I always feel that is giving someone else my headache. I cull any overly aggressive birds.

That's what I have done to keep harmony between standards and specialty types. I know there are those who can integrate the Polish and Silkies, but I have found it to not work well at all.

My thoughts

LofMc

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters so if you put your location into your profile people can give better-targeted advice.

Do you really *want* roosters? Many people keep hen-only flocks and find that much less stressful than managing males.

You probably do not have enough hens for 2 males. I have 2 males with 21 hens and though the boys are, so far (no guarantees on cockerel/rooster behavior EVER), getting along, I've got some barebacked hens.

I'd keep a close eye on the flock to find out who drew blood in the nest. A male who goes after a hen in the nest is a prime candidate for a crockpot because he's doing the exact opposite of what a good rooster ought to do.

 

[MixedFlock23]

I have 15 hens/laying pullets with an 11 month old Silkie cockerel and a four month old Silkie/serama cockerel (he’s pint-sized!). The boys get along and they both dance for the hens and get permission to mate and announce when they’ve found food and let the girls eat first. In another month or so, I’ll add in five more pullets (they are still with their Showgirl broody who raised them). That’ll be 20 girls & 2 boys. I’ve heard seven to one is as low as you’d want a female:male ratio, and ten or more to one is better for the hens (to prevent overbreeding/hurt backs).

I’ve culled ten roosters over the last six years who were not gentlemen roosters and who chased girls, pulled feathers, then later became human aggressive. I think I’ve finally met nice roosters I’ve heard about! I didn’t even know when they started mating because it was silent instead of the yelling and running away the girls used to do. (One reason for the surprise chicks!)

I have two flocks, but I have them separated for non-reproducing and safety reasons. I have my seramas, Silkie girls, showgirls, and Polish in the smaller coop/run that won’t have access to free-ranging. These girls are broody so often and are sneaky about hiding & hatching eggs!! We don’t need more chickens, so I’ve taken them away from guys entirely! The Polish are only 5 weeks old (& aren’t known for being broody like silkies & seramas), but they are staying in the small flock due to their crests and not being great at seeing predators when ranging, so no free ranging for them just like the silkies whose poofs make free ranging riskier.

In the past we found the jerk roosters turned mean between 3 months old and 9 months old, so I’m hoping that means our Silkie will stay nice. I won’t keep a mean roo. They must be nice to both people (including & especially children) and chickens (including younger ones too).

I’ve swapped around my two flocks/pens a few times. I’ve tried a bachelor flock, had the small coop/run as a brooder with momma hen, and now soon it’ll be poofy headed & teeny chickens only. Just over a month ago everyone was together & doing great (silkies, bantams, two roos, full sized hens, everyone gets along).

I think you’ll find what works best for you & your family too! (Older birds are best in soups, btw… if it comes to that!) Good luck!!

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

I keep 2 Roosters..I am very fortunate, BOTH are extremely pleasant which is surprising to me..one is a RIR raised by myself the other a PBR, "gifted" with some hens at 4 weeks.. Always been together. I can pick up either of them at any time and do quite often. Handling them daily. They both have hens of their own coloring...they are in the same coop but separated by a wall and gate..that being said I've "forgotten" to lock it a couple times in the last few years..Certainly not on purpose...the first time cursing myself for my stupidity..only to find them eating happily all together..They free range during the day..I cull when needed..I will not keep an aggressive roo. I constantly have animals "dumped" so have many smaller "coops" for quarantining ect. Recently was "gifted" with PBRs so looking to move them to another house..I will not intergrate in the current one so I don't tip the balance... the RIR and his hens will stay in the main coop...I pick up eggs and never let the girls sit..also different feed, waterers and nest boxes. This works for me..I also realize things are fluid in the animal world and I don't mind the extra work..and keep a watchful eye..
I agree with Songster..it can work but you must be diligent.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I keep 2 Roosters..I am very fortunate, BOTH are extremely pleasant which is surprising to me..one is a RIR raised by myself the other a PBR, "gifted" with some hens at 4 weeks.. Always been together. I can pick up either of them at any time and do quite often. Handling them daily. They both have hens of their own coloring...they are in the same coop but separated by a wall and gate..that being said I've "forgotten" to lock it a couple times in the last few years..Certainly not on purpose...the first time cursing myself for my stupidity..only to find them eating happily all together..They free range during the day..I cull when needed..I will not keep an aggressive roo. I constantly have animals "dumped" so have many smaller "coops" for quarantining ect. Recently was "gifted" with PBRs so looking to move them to another house..I will not intergrate in the current one so I don't tip the balance... the RIR and his hens will stay in the main coop...I pick up eggs and never let the girls sit..also different feed, waterers and nest boxes. This works for me..I also realize things are fluid in the animal world and I don't mind the extra work..and keep a watchful eye..
I agree with Songster..it can work but you must be diligent.

What are PBRs?

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

What are PBRs?

Plymouth Barred Rocks