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What can I do with my rooster?

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by Lynette, Aug 20, 2010.

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  1. Aug 20, 2010 #1
    Lynette

    Lynette Songster

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    I have 4 roosters that are 4 months old. Now they are at that stage where they are going to show who is the boss. I have a Golden Sebright who I think is the one. 2 of my other roosters run from him or avoid him. The Sebright will sometimes chase them and try to be a little jerk to them. My Wyandotte rooster has some small sore spots on his comb from being attacked by the Sebright. I wasn't letting them free range before a few days ago because I was afraid something might happen to them. Now I feel like I have to let them out because they are left alone when they are out of their pen. What can I do to protect my other roosters from the Sebright? I am home alot, but there are times when I have to leave and can't let them out. I am worried about my Wyandotte that something will happen to him when I am not there to protect him. I have a small hallway in their coop that I made him sleep in alone a couple of nights ago. I need suggestions please.
     
  2. Aug 20, 2010 #2
    eenie114

    eenie114 Completly Hopeless

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    Well, if the Wyandotte is a stubborn rooster, they will kep fighting and fighting and some will need new homes.
    OR, he will eventually learn his place, and they will quit.
    But, at least one will very likley need a new home. [​IMG]
     
  3. Aug 20, 2010 #3
    Lynette

    Lynette Songster

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    I have found my poor Wyandotte rooster in the back corner of the coop with his face in the corner. I feel so bad for him. Usually my Bearded D'Uccle is in the same corner since they are both scared. But it seems my Wyandotte is the only one getting hurt.
     
  4. Aug 20, 2010 #4
    Lynette

    Lynette Songster

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    Plus my mom told me that if he has a small wound the pullets will pick at it too and possibly pick him to death. He is a big rooster, but that probably doesn't matter.
     
  5. Aug 20, 2010 #5
    squeakyballs

    squeakyballs Songster

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    [​IMG]
    (stole the pic from here )
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 20, 2010
  6. Aug 20, 2010 #6
    Lynette

    Lynette Songster

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    [​IMG] No, I can't cook him!! [​IMG]
     
  7. Aug 20, 2010 #7
    eenie114

    eenie114 Completly Hopeless

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    Quote:I'd sell the bullies. [​IMG]
     
  8. Aug 21, 2010 #8
    Mrs. Feathers

    Mrs. Feathers Songster

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    How many hens do you have for the boys? If they don`t have 8-10 each the fighting will probably get worse hate to say....
    Roos can be very nasty to each other
    Tucson Tofu...[​IMG] post [​IMG]
     
  9. Aug 21, 2010 #9
    Lynette

    Lynette Songster

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    I do not have enough pullets for them. I won't be getting more until next spring. I will be away most of the day today, so I put him in the hallway part of the coop where I keep their food and supplies. He has food and water. I was thinking maybe I could get my husband to build a fenced in area just for him during the day when I can't let them out. I will probably have to get him a new home, but I wish I didn't have to. I am attached to all of my chickens and don't really want to give any of them up, but I have to think of the others.
     
  10. Aug 21, 2010 #10
    lauralou

    lauralou Songster

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    Lynnette, you have a problem!

    From my point of view, the problem is too many roosters. There are other folks who keep lots of roosters. Successfully. So let's think about your options.

    Another pen is a great option! Although I think I'd put the Sebrite in there if it were me. Seems that he is also picking on the D'Uccle roo. You could build a tiny little coop, like a doghouse, and give him a friend so he wouldn't be all alone. It's possible that once he is removed from the situation, another roo will become a dreaded tyrant. You'd just have to see what happens.

    Or you could consider multiple "breeding pens" with a few hens per rooster. It's not necessarily true that you must have 8-10 hens per roo. Lots of people keep them in pairs or trios. It is true that sometimes the roos will really tear up the hens. No matter how many hens that you have. I had one roo in with 6 hens, and not a one of those ladies had a feather out of place. Another roo was with 12 (or 13?) hens, and several of them were in bad shape. Featherwise. So numbers don't always prevent that. It depends on the roo. It is more of a pain to care for them when you have multiple pens. I know, I have 4 pens. [​IMG]

    The easiest and most obvious solution is to try to rehome the Sebrite roo. I know he's your favorite. But they are only 4 months old, and things may get worse instead of better. Their hormones are only just starting to kick in. This is the point at which I always want to send roosters on. About 16 weeks. Yep. The nightmare begins. But keep in mind, I'm not a huge fan of the rooster in general. I adore them for their beauty and their interesting personalities, but that tends to end as they mature and start fighting and overmating the hens. They diminish my enjoyment of my hens, so they have to move on.

    I hope that others will chime in with more options for you. Good luck!
     
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