When do I need to think about getting rid of my extra roosters?

[Ariekannairb]

I purchased some straight run chicks from TSC and ended up with 4 roosters. I have 20 girls so I know I either have to purchase 20 more (hehe very tempting) or get rid of two of my roos. What age am I looking at needing to do this?

 

[JanO]

Depends on how you plan to get rid of them. If you want to put them in the freezer I'd wait till they are at least 5 or 6 months old. If you're selling them either to a private party or at auction than you can take them any time.

 

[Ariekannairb]

I guess I more or less meant when is it a MUST. At what age am I likely to start having a problem with fighting?

 

[RoseMarie1]

I bought straight runs to. 16 rir's and 23 black aust. and sex links so hoping I don't have wayyyyy too many roos.

 

[JanO]

It depends. Sometimes roosters will be fine for a year or so before they start fighting, sometimes only a few months. I think it depends on how many hens you have, are they in a run or free ranged. It's hard to say when they will get snarky, or not. Since I tend to cull my roosters for the freezer I usually start to get rid of them at about 5 or 6 months, but some people wait till they are older.

 

[fisherlady]

It depends. Sometimes roosters will be fine for a year or so before they start fighting, sometimes only a few months. I think it depends on how many hens you have, are they in a run or free ranged. It's hard to say when they will get snarky, or not. Since I tend to cull my roosters for the freezer I usually start to get rid of them at about 5 or 6 months, but some people wait till they are older.

I agree with JanO.... last year we had 5 roos raised together and they rarely had any spats other than very short lived posturing type encounters. The thing is, you will need to reduce your numbers at least a little to keep your hens in good shape. As already said, the amount of space they have to spread out can have an effect... if you have the room I would let them go till you can decide who has the personalities you like best, and evaluate them for how they behave with the hens and how they act around people. Our favorite roo from last year was like a puppy dog with people, but he terrorized a couple of the hens after he turned about 5 months old so he had to go... it sucked, but that is what you have to do to keep peace in your flock and do what is best for the hens.

So you should be good for a while, then begin watching for signs of problems or personality traits you don't want in your flock and use them as guides to who needs to go and when. The only right answer for your question is to do what fits for your situation. Though for practical purposes, some roos are big enough to eat by 4 months, others don't mature till much later, so though they can all be culled, you may need to use different methods to cook them, if that is what you are wanting to do.

Good luck with your flock! Hope it works out well for you.

 

[Ariekannairb]

I don't think we will bother to eat these. They are leghorns and the meat is not worth the time investment. They do free range so have lots of space during the day. I am actually seriously considering adding some more hens to my flock rather than getting rid of the roosters. Not specifically because of the roosters. I was planning on doing so anyways. I just need to enlarge the coop area or set up a second one before I can think about that. They are only 12 weeks so I have a little time before I have to make the final decision. Right now I am just in love with all 4 of them and couldn't make the decision even if I want to!