When to separate surplus cockerels?

[ottbjumper06]

This is my first batch of 16 chicks, a combination of Iowa Blues, Gold Laced Cochins, Partridge Cochins, and Golden Sebright. They are all going to be ornamental/egglayers whether they be free range or in a run. I want to leave a couple cockerels in with my pullets and they will have a large attatched run to the chicken house. So my question is, when should I separate the surplus cockerels to free range? I've read many places that if you remove hens from the situation fighting will pretty much cease, I'm hoping this is true!

 

[Habibs Hens]

My cock birds started to fight at as young as 5 weeks old

though it gets more dangerous and violent at about 10 weeks

you could push it to 15 weeks and butcher them

I butchered mine at 12 weeks

got 500 grams per bird skinned (they where just standard light breeds so that's a good size)

2 of my Roosters now over a year old and born together live together and never been with a hen/pullet and they still fight

infact its now gotten violent and 1 will be up for adoption

 

[ottbjumper06]

Thanks, I will start really watching around the 5 week mark then. Since this flock consists of ornamental breeds they will not be butchered - I was planning on free ranging my cockerels that I'm not keeping with my pullets on our 17 acre hobby farm, so I'm hoping they will have plenty of room to get away from one another. If all else fails I can always find them new homes!