When to choose a Roo

[khpadventures]

Hello!

I am new to chickens, but am very much hoping to get into breeding next summer when my current flock is old enough. I have four pullets and two roosters right now, and I know that with only four ladies I need to select a single rooster and find a new home for the other. What I am wondering is at what age would you experienced breeders out there feel that the two roosters are both developed enough to pick the better genetics to improve the flock? They are 4 months old right now, and they certainly both look very manly, but I'm just not sure how soon you can be sure who the better pick is. Any insight would be great!

I've added a picture of one just for fun Thry are Bielefelders

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Beautiful. I like to wait until they're over a year but your hens might not like that as they start breeding (and over breeding) much younger. They tend to start fighting right at 14-18mo so a year old is a great time to pick, IMO.

 

[khpadventures]

Beautiful. I like to wait until they're over a year but your hens might not like that as they start breeding (and over breeding) much younger. They tend to start fighting right at 14-18mo so a year old is a great time to pick, IMO.

I'm not opposed to sequestering the two roosters, do you think if they were housed separately from the hens they would be okay together until a year old? The hens would be on just the other side of a fence.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Hmm, I think they would probably be OK but I'm not sure. I had two roos live together for a year and a half with six hens and though the hens lost a lot of back feathers they were OK - right up until they started fighting.