Which rooster is dominant?

[Gee-Dan]

Well, for now, that's why we have the bachelor pad. No one's going to the chair or the crockpot just yet. But 'winter is coming' isn't just for Game of Thrones...Anyway, I do want to have a world where the pullets/later hens can come out of the coop and enjoy the fenced yard they have. So far that's happening now; we'll see if Tom stays sweet or gets hit with testosterone poisoning. I'm not too fussed if I don't end up with an Easter Egger rooster; it's more the Buff Orps I'm planning for, for sustainability, so this with the EE flock is a good learning experience.

 

[Mrs. K]

Actually I think you have the best idea, let's see where this goes. For me, that is how one has to take cockerels. I have two in a multi-generational flock right now, just hatched this spring. The main rooster, is really slowly getting better and better, and really has no major drawbacks, I think I will keep him. The youngesters are like yours, not going to be here over winter.

Mrs K

 

[PoppasGrill]

We were in a similar situation with our incubator clutch , hatched in January. 5 Roos out of 15 hatched eggs.
Around mid May the Roos started getting aggressive towards the pullets, and the older ladies, except one that followed us around and we were able to pick him up and carry. He was the one that was calling the girls for food and staying with them when free ranging. This is what we look for in a Roo. We’ve had some that were Alpha of the flock , but are the first to shelter if something happens and always ate first. He is now the Alpha of that coop. The Ladies run to him when another Roo , older or clutch mate, is chasing . He is NOT the farm Alpha, but in his domain, he’s the one.
The rest of the Roos from that coop will stay away from his girls when hes around.
The others are destined for Rehoming or bachelor coop.