Okay, so here is the chicken break down. I have 33 chickens, mostly Red and Black Stars (hens) of the 33 I have 9 male roosters. 4 are older roosters that I got from my neighbor (Id say over a year old) and the other 5 are about 30 weeks old. The get along for the most part but will fight sometimes when they get too close to each other. Now
This is where the living situation comes in. I have a VERY large 100+ year old barn that has divided rooms in it, nooks, crannies, etc. The main area is around 2000 square feet, give or take and it wraps around back to another section that is another 1200 SF. During the nice weather I let them range since I have a few acres. But, with the cold weather (I live in N.W. Ohio) I usually keep them inside, even though they have access out side if they want. They seem happy inside, since Im sure there is more then enough room for them
During the night 20 of the birds will go into a corner room of my barn that is 19x16. I have lots of straw in there and there is one windows that gets the morning sun from the east. There are roost poles 5 feet off the ground and more then enough room for them to perch. They seem to get along fine during the night time. The other 10 birds (9 hens and 1 rooster) like to stay up a little bit later then others and have taken a liking to the (what I like to call it) hatchery. I have about 12 nesting boxes setup and there are some roost poles and straw, old junky ATV parts and other things that keep them amused. Other then the rooster mating with the hens from time to time, they get along really well. Here comes my problem. During the day, there are times when the other roosters will pick on the guy with the 9 ladies. Tonight I found his comb to be bloodied. He seems okay and lets me hold him, eats and drinks. The roosters (during the day) will fight here and there, but it usually is not too bad
Until the incident today...
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So after reading this long post Do you think it maybe time to get rid of some roosters? I think I have more then enough room for them and they seem to be happy in my barn but I dont want fighting going on. Especially since some of the younger hens are now finally laying eggs. What do you all think? I can post pictures if need be, but theyll have to wait until tomorrow since my cameras flash is worthless in the dark. Any ideas or help would be great. On a side note, Ill have to post pictures of some of the roosters, since I have no idea what breed they are. Thank you all for taking the time to read this.
Max
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So after reading this long post Do you think it maybe time to get rid of some roosters? I think I have more then enough room for them and they seem to be happy in my barn but I dont want fighting going on. Especially since some of the younger hens are now finally laying eggs. What do you all think? I can post pictures if need be, but theyll have to wait until tomorrow since my cameras flash is worthless in the dark. Any ideas or help would be great. On a side note, Ill have to post pictures of some of the roosters, since I have no idea what breed they are. Thank you all for taking the time to read this.
Max
