I've searched the posts for "multiple roosters" and read most. I realize I can't have 3 roosters and 5 hens. They are 24 weeks old and have been together since birth. I know I need to remove one or two roosters. Which ones go? The most dominant or not? Seems like they've spent all these weeks figuring out the pecking order and he won. But now #1 is too aggressive and won't let #2 Roo come out of the coop. My husband got #1 and he spent the night in a dog crate inside the pen so safe from predators. But I've got to decide today who stays with the girls and who goes. Remove #1 and #2 and put them in a bachelor pad and hope they tolerate each other? We've dedicated to day to building another pen/coop for whomever goes. Thanks in advance. I know there's no answer that works for all flocks! And I'd be happy with hatching eggs from any of these 3 boys so that is not part of the equation.
It sounds like your keeping all the cockerels. If that's the case then it doesn't matter. You can have all three of them in a bachelor pad without issue. When not in the flock of maturing pullets they will stop aggression toward each other. In my mind a better solution is to not build another coop. Why spend time and money on something to hold nonproductive, non-show quality birds? To me it's simple on culling. If the top cockerel is not human aggressive then the other two would be made into dinner. Sure leghorns are small so perhaps not a nice roasting bird but would still make excellent gumbo!
Thanks Egghead_Jr. I should have mentioned that I'm one of those new chicken owners that can't bear to make gumbo with my "pets". I know, some of the real chicken folks are rolling their eyes right now. Maybe one day I'll get some and not name them, with the intent to put them in the freezer. For now I guess I'll have a bachelor pad with 2 and see how that works. Much appreciated.
I would say that with only 5 hens, for now 0 is the number of roosters that should be with them, at least for a year so the rooster you choose can have time to mature and mellow out. Right now the hormones are raging and with only 5 hens, there would be feather loss and possibly some unhappiness in the coop that will adversely affect egg production. I would agree that if the dominant rooster is not human aggressive, that he should get the first chance at hen keeper. I made the mistake of rehoming the dominant rooster from my flock to let the 2nd take charge because of the bickering between the 2 and how aggressive mating seemed. I realize now he was just being clumsy and the 2nd rooster put in charge decided to go human aggressive. If you want to keep them as pets, I also agree the bachelor pad is the way to go. If you do decide to get rid of them you can try craigslist but most looking for roosters there are hungry and are looking for dinner. At least that end would not be without purpose and you don't have to see it.
I agree, pull all three roosters, because you have raised them as flock mates, and I am assuming no older birds? Older birds thump manners into younger cockerels, without older birds, the young roosters get away with being bullies as they are the biggest in the flock. Roosters mature sexually much faster than pullets are are ready for the deed long before the girls are. Even one young rooster will irritate, harass and beat up on your young pullets. Pull them all for the winter, the roosters will get along fine (usually) in the bachelor pen, and let your pullets grow up in peace. In the spring, pick a rooster for the flock. A rooster is the easiest single addition to make in the chicken world. This will give you more time to pick the best rooster, and if a rooster does get violent, well it is easier to do the cull even if they do have a name. Although usually the name has been changed to you SOB! Mrs K
If you separate them where everyone can still see them than you can rotate who goes out, that way it's easier to determine which one is best for your flock, as long as you rotate them at least once a week they shouldn't fight.
The good rooster should court the hens (they dance)and not violently mate them, announce when he has found food and share it, and warn when predators are in the area.
