Hi, (first post ever), thanks in advance for any advice!
I have twelve 3.5 month old silkies that we hatched. 5 seem to be definitely roosters, but not all have crowed. I am willing to keep one, as we have lots of predators (very secure coop, but they free range in our large fenced backyard most days). I would like to get rid of the rest before puberty hits full on so that the girls don’t have to deal with that many crazed boys. Which would you keep?
1. Top rooster, knows what’s going on and keeps a good eye on surroundings, will eat out of my hand but won’t let me catch him (although if I do he’s fairly calm) and a huge pain to get into coop. Solid white
2. 2nd in charge rooster. Absolutely stunning brown mix of colors, slightly less hard to catch and not as observant, but mostly same temperament as number one
3. Our (up until know) super sweet pure white rooster. He is the only one of our chickens that will lazily stretch out on lap, loves being held, easy to get into coop. However, since crowing he is either attacking (most likely) or trying to mate with my feet. My 10 year old is terrified of him now, but he was so cuddly I hate to get rid of him if this is just a phase.
4. Pretty white and gray one that is nasty and bites if you try to touch him unless you are holding him (he’s not really in the running to keep)
5. And then a plainer dark gray one that I only know is a rooster because it crows, nothing about this one stands out.
6. Keep no rooster
Pick a number and any advice is appreciated
I have twelve 3.5 month old silkies that we hatched. 5 seem to be definitely roosters, but not all have crowed. I am willing to keep one, as we have lots of predators (very secure coop, but they free range in our large fenced backyard most days). I would like to get rid of the rest before puberty hits full on so that the girls don’t have to deal with that many crazed boys. Which would you keep?
1. Top rooster, knows what’s going on and keeps a good eye on surroundings, will eat out of my hand but won’t let me catch him (although if I do he’s fairly calm) and a huge pain to get into coop. Solid white
2. 2nd in charge rooster. Absolutely stunning brown mix of colors, slightly less hard to catch and not as observant, but mostly same temperament as number one
3. Our (up until know) super sweet pure white rooster. He is the only one of our chickens that will lazily stretch out on lap, loves being held, easy to get into coop. However, since crowing he is either attacking (most likely) or trying to mate with my feet. My 10 year old is terrified of him now, but he was so cuddly I hate to get rid of him if this is just a phase.
4. Pretty white and gray one that is nasty and bites if you try to touch him unless you are holding him (he’s not really in the running to keep)
5. And then a plainer dark gray one that I only know is a rooster because it crows, nothing about this one stands out.
6. Keep no rooster
Pick a number and any advice is appreciated
