We’re thinking of getting some roosters?

[Kawkawkaye]

First of all, a little background knowledge:
We have two small separate flocks, consisting of four hens and the other of two hens. The two hens are very old and no longer lay, they free range our five acres. The flock of four hens are kept in an enclosure permanently because one of the members is blind. The enclosure is massive, for the record. They don’t miss out on anything. We keep chickens for leisure, if that wasn’t already obvious, and we don’t eat them.

We enjoy having free range chickens wandering around, but the older generation is slowly dying out. Sooo we were thinking of getting a mixy-matchy flock of roosters, to keep our remaining old hens company, and just because we like them. Let me put emphasis on the mixy-matchy– we intend on just adopting the odd unwanted rooster for the sake of it.
Now. I will not feign that I know anything about roosters. I do not. So bear with me here as I ask ridiculous questions.

-A flock of (ultimately, when our old hens die) entirely roosters- does that work out? They have five acres of bush land to roam (and it’s unfenced), but do they need to interact with hens to keep their sanity? They’ll be able to see our younger flock, but I don’t really want them interacting.
-If we get these hypothetical roosters while our old hens are still kickin’, will there be drama?!
-Are our old hens still fertile?? Will they be harassed anyway? We DO NOT want baby chicks running around.
-Do they have different roosting requirements? Will they all be able to sleep in the same pen?

Okay I think that’s all my questions for now. Until I think o more. TIA!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

It’s a bad idea to put a bunch of cockerels or cocks with older hens. The wrong cock to hen ratio will result in flock problems. If your older hens are still laying then they are still fertile. Cockerels and cocks are chickens and as such have the same requirements as pullet’s and hens sans the egg production aspect.
Can you combine the older hens with the younger hens and allow the male only flock to roam your 5 acres?

 

[Skippersnh]

A flock of just roosters will work out its called a bachelor pad

 

[Kawkawkaye]

It’s a bad idea to put a bunch of cockerels or cocks with older hens. The wrong cock to hen ratio will result in flock problems. If your older hens are still laying then they are still fertile. Cockerels and cocks are chickens and as such have the same requirements as pullet’s and hens sans the egg production aspect.
Can you combine the older hens with the younger hens and allow the male only flock to roam your 5 acres?

We’ve considered putting them together, but the old girls are used to their freedom. I think we’ll wait until they’re gone before we do get roosters, I just thought it would be nice for them to have additional company if it was able to work out.
And they haven’t laid for years (that we know of) so I guess they’re infertile then

 

[Skippersnh]

the ones that free range are hiding the eggs i bet

 

[Folly's place]

Your four old ladies, including a blind hen, don't need any idiot cockerels around. Maybe one, who they can 'educate' into a more polite rooster, but definitely not a group!
Don't do this to them!!!
If you want to have a flock of hens, pullets, and a couple of cockerels, maybe. But not a bunch of randy cockerels with your four hens!
Mary

 

[janiedoe]

1. Cockrells and roosters will gang up on your old girls and may injure them. I don't know a less vulgar way to put this. They will gang rape them.
2. The cockrells and/or roosters may get along fine but if they can see the hens & pullets they will probably fight even if they can't get to them.
3. All those roosters crowing may drive you batty.
4. You will only get chicks if you or a hen incubates the eggs.

You might consider getting some leghorn hens and a rooster. They seem to be more capable of avoiding predators than some other breeds.(Don't get game hens if you don't want chicks.)
I wish you luck whatever you decide.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I would personally add a one day old with them unless you find a broody hen then use a limited amount of fertile eggs like in the 3-4 range to keep the roo numbers low and yes for that proper education.

I order mine from commercial suppliers as 1 days as you can also get them sexed pretty accurately. Nobody wants a 12 pound roo on a beloved 4-5 pound hen so choose the breed wisely. I would also choose a good foraging breed. Just my opinion.

 

[Mrs. K]

There is quite a reality to roosters. Some are great, some are not. The ones being saved, often times are not. They are not like puppies or kittens that can be tamed down, they can be very aggressive to both hens and people.

As AArt is fond of saying, "Roosters is where the romance meets reality."

I would not worry about your older hens, adding a single rooster might be ok, but even he will be pretty determined to get into your laying hens. Old pale combed hens will not be giving the right signals to occupy a rooster. But the bright combs of your actively laying flock will be a magnet, and that is where he will be spending his time.

Roosters are a crap shoot, they can be very aggressive and not real intelligent. The more roosters you have, the more of a crapshoot it is. And all of them will want the layers. That is how biology works. They will mostly ignore your old hens, but my bully them in frustration. May attack you to get at the layers.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

As AArt is fond of saying, "Roosters is where the romance meets reality."

Roosters are certainly one of the Realities that can crush the Romance....
....a pretty common one for new chicken keepers...or the uninitiated.