What do I do now? 3 cockerels (confirmed by BYC members) in a flock of 11 "hens"

[ejdgoris]

Hi,

I'm new to BYC. I have a mixed flock of 11 birds. However, they are of two different ages. I have 7 birds (including one rooster) that are estimated at about 20 weeks. I have 4 birds (including two roosters ) that are closer to 14 weeks. I'm aware that I cannot have 3 roosters as part of this small flock. All 11 birds seem to be okay in the coop together at night for now (they put themselves in, we just close the door), but free range during the day. The two original groups free range in different areas most of the time. I'd like to rehome 1-2 of the roosters if possible. In fact, my original plan was to have only hens.... I'm not even sure whether I can keep a single rooster in the coop with the 8 remaining hens. I'll do some reading, but I would REALLY appreciate your advice.

PS - Still waiting on my first egg. Based on one of the photos I posted, BYC members seem to think some of the older pullets look really close to laying. I sure hope so! I'm also discouraged about the fact that I'm down to 8 (eventual) laying hens. It seems like it would be complicated to add 2-4 hens from yet another separate original group. (and I'm not even sure whether I could find only 2-4 appropriately aged pullets at that)

Help!

Thank you,

Emilie

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You should probably decide which breed rooster you want to keep for breeding your hens.
The other 2 will taste just like chicken.
The sooner you add other birds the better - after the appropriate quarantine period.

 

[ejdgoris]

You should probably decide which breed rooster you want to keep for breeding your hens.
The other 2 will taste just like chicken.
The sooner you add other birds the better - after the appropriate quarantine period.

Then I have a decision to make. There is one bird I won't have difficulty parting with. I'll be left with these two to choose between (see below). Unfortunately the rest of the birds in my flock are neither barred rock nor GLW's. I have 1 SLW, 3 Light Brahmas, 1 buff orpington, 1 Isa brown, 1 mix/EE, 1 mix/Americauna. Originally, a mixed flock was attractive, and I didn't plan on doing any breeding. Now, I'm not so sure I won't. Especially given that I unexpectedly purchased 3/11 cockerels. Thoughts?

Above - GLW cockerel per BYC members - estimated at 20 weeks


Above & Below - Barred Rock (maybe some mix?) cockerel per BYC members - estimated at 14 weeks


I think they are both pretty good looking birds...

 

[ejdgoris]

Other facts to consider -

I'd like a good laying breed (seems both are)
I live in MI = cold winters
The birds are able to free range during the day in appropriate weather
See breeds of hens in the flock as listed above
The GLW seems less skittish, and I can approach him more easily. Neither cockerel is aggressive thus far.

 

[junebuggena]

Your barred Rock is not a barred Rock, but a mixed breed cockerel. The Gold laced Wyandotte cockerel can be used to breed red sexlinks with the silver laced Wyandottes and the Light Brahmas.

 

[MrsBachbach]

Other facts to consider -

I'd like a good laying breed (seems both are)
I live in MI = cold winters
The birds are able to free range during the day in appropriate weather
See breeds of hens in the flock as listed above
The GLW seems less skittish, and I can approach him more easily. Neither cockerel is aggressive thus far.

Two roosters with eleven hens is not too many roosters, it's just about right. Since you free range, not a bad idea to keep a couple of roosters. They tend to keep an eye out for hawks or predators while the girls do their food searching. One will be the dominant rooster and you could see a little fight now and then, but usually when they grow up together, the dominant one is established before they get to breeding age and the other usually knows his place. In your case, the much older one would likely be the boss. If something does happen to one of the roosters, you would have an extra.

 

[ejdgoris]

Your barred Rock is not a barred Rock, but a mixed breed cockerel. The Gold laced Wyandotte cockerel can be used to breed red sexlinks with the silver laced Wyandottes and the Light Brahmas.

That's really helpful, thank you. So, I'm showing how much of a novice I am here.......
When I do decide to "breed," do I assume that the rooster is mating with all of the hens and just choose to incubate the eggs from the SLW or Light Brahmas?
It sounds like I don't have to house the rooster separately from what I've read, so I'm not sure how I would control that aspect, otherwise. Additionally, even if the eggs are fertilized, if I collect them on a daily basis, they won't mature. Is that correct? I have SO much more reading to do.

 

[ejdgoris]

Two roosters with eleven hens is not too many roosters, it's just about right. Since you free range, not a bad idea to keep a couple of roosters. They tend to keep an eye out for hawks or predators while the girls do their food searching. One will be the dominant rooster and you could see a little fight now and then, but usually when they grow up together, the dominant one is established before they get to breeding age and the other usually knows his place. In your case, the much older one would likely be the boss. If something does happen to one of the roosters, you would have an extra.

Unfortunately, it is now 3 roosters with 8 hens. So, it will eventually be 1-2 roosters with 8 hens. As I mentioned, my original plan was just to have all hens.... I agree that the larger rooster has already been established as the boss. In general, the 4 younger birds (2 pullets, 2 cockerels) know they are at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[ejdgoris]

Your barred Rock is not a barred Rock, but a mixed breed cockerel. The Gold laced Wyandotte cockerel can be used to breed red sexlinks with the silver laced Wyandottes and the Light Brahmas.

Thank you! Can you please confirm for me that the SLW is truly a pullet versus a cockerel? They look a bit yellow, but that is just the sun. Photos were taken during the "golden hour" before sunset.

 

[junebuggena]

Thank you! Can you please confirm for me that the SLW is truly a pullet versus a cockerel? They look a bit yellow, but that is just the sun. Photos were taken during the "golden hour" before sunset.

Yes, they do look like pullets. You do not need to separate the rooster. Unless a fertilized egg is incubated, there will be no chicks. An egg must be kept at a constant 100* for at least 48 hours to start development. If you leave the eggs out on the counter, they will not spontaneously start developing. When you want eggs to hatch, collect the eggs that you want. To make sure you collect the correct eggs, you can mark their vents with gel food coloring after they go to roost. In the morning, the eggs that have streaks of color are the ones you want to hatch. Males will have silver/white based down. The female chicks will have a golden based down. They won't look like typical red sexlinks, but the basic rules still apply. Red/gold colored birds will be female. Silver/white colored birds will be male.