When do Roos have to go?

[gaitanm24]

I am new to chicken keeping. I have 14 chickens. Of those 14, probably 5-6 of them are roosters...we will keep one at my husband's request - probably the white leghorn. Is there an age that I must get all the extra roosters out? They are 8 weeks old right now.

 

[beetandsteet]

When they're about 12-16 weeks old (depends on the particular rooster), their hormones will kick in and they'll start crowing, squabbling among each other, and annoying the heck out of the pullets. That's usually the age I get rid of mine. However, if you're thinking about butchering them, they would be slaughtered sometime after 18-20 weeks (if they're not meat birds).

 

[pipAchick]

I am new to chicken keeping. I have 14 chickens. Of those 14, probably 5-6 of them are roosters...we will keep one at my husband's request - probably the white leghorn. Is there an age that I must get all the extra roosters out? They are 8 weeks old right now.

I'm not an expert but in MY experience IF they roo's grow up together the alpha is established early on&part of that dominance is just 'nature'. That doesn't mean they won't still check each other from time to time (especially as spring nears). It seems they do better if same kind but that might just be at my place? That's a few too many roo's though for amount of hens(for me to be comfy) unless you don't mind your hens having naked backs year round! If your gonna keep more then one roo, I def would not split them up-you don't want a stand off at time they are in same area. Just what I have witnessed in my own back yard.(hope that helps?)

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Are you going to try to sell? Or eat? You will know when it is time, usually around 6 months. The roosters will start to crow first. Then they will beging to mate the hens, and maybe fight, I would look at rehoming once they start crowing. Roosters can be difficult to get rid of, everyone has them. If you are willing, eating them might be smarter. Because you have a layer flock, your chickens will be small, but if you cull at around 16 weeks they shouldn't be too tough for fryers.

 

[pipAchick]

I'd also make sure you select (if choosing a lone flock keeper) a strong trait bearing roo, like imagine bucks in a field as a Hunter,,,leave the biggest&nicest rack to breed the doe's so you get more nice bucks in the futurd,,,nobody wants to take unbalanced racks or outnumber points to the taxidermy!

 

[gaitanm24]

Are you going to try to sell? Or eat? You will know when it is time, usually around 6 months. The roosters will start to crow first. Then they will beging to mate the hens, and maybe fight, I would look at rehoming once they start crowing. Roosters can be difficult to get rid of, everyone has them. If you are willing, eating them might be smarter. Because you have a layer flock, your chickens will be small, but if you cull at around 16 weeks they shouldn't be too tough for fryers.

The place I bought them from said we could bring back the roosters and he would trade out. I probably won't bother trading out as I dont want to overcrowd my birds.

My white leghorn and one of the 3 buff orpington Roos are already crowing at 8 weeks! Kid you not!

 

[gaitanm24]

I'd also make sure you select (if choosing a lone flock keeper) a strong trait bearing roo, like imagine bucks in a field as a Hunter,,,leave the biggest&nicest rack to breed the doe's so you get more nice bucks in the futurd,,,nobody wants to take unbalanced racks or outnumber points to the taxidermy!

Being that I don't know what breed perfection would be, I have no idea what I'm looking for or against. We were considering keeping our white leghorn. He has matured the fastest and seems to be the alpha as of right now.

 

[beetandsteet]

The place I bought them from said we could bring back the roosters and he would trade out. I probably won't bother trading out as I dont want to overcrowd my birds.

My white leghorn and one of the 3 buff orpington Roos are already crowing at 8 weeks! Kid you not!

I once had a cockerel crowing while he was still in the brooder!

 

[aart]

The place I bought them from said we could bring back the roosters and he would trade out. I probably won't bother trading out as I dont want to overcrowd my birds.

My white leghorn and one of the 3 buff orpington Roos are already crowing at 8 weeks! Kid you not!

Depends on your goals for having a male....so you want to hatch out eggs or just have a male strutting around?
If you're just going to rehome them you can do it anytime....but they will become sexually mature around 4 months and start causing trouble.
They might not fight, but they will compete for the pullets and the girls' lives will be hell.

 

[gaitanm24]

Depends on your goals for having a male....so you want to hatch out eggs or just have a male strutting around?
If you're just going to rehome them you can do it anytime....but they will become sexually mature around 4 months and start causing trouble.
They might not fight, but they will compete for the pullets and the girls' lives will be hell. 

Yes, I would say my husband would like one male just strutting around to be honest. He does enjoy hearing the morning crows which bring him back to his homeland of Honduras where chickens are FREE range and coops are unheard of. That's what trees are for!

Personally, I'd be fine with no male, so if any stay, it will only be one for sure. The place I bought them from said I could return the males. How nice of him!