Which roosters to keep?

[63redtudor]

This time around we decided to try and keep a rooster so when we ordered chicks we got a straight run. We now have about 12 (?) roos and 8 girls. They're starting to crow now and soon most of the boys will end up in the freezer. We're planning on keeping 2, in case one is overly aggressive or a dud, and go from there. Our goal is to try to breed and most of the resulting chicks will end up in the freezer. Right now they're in a 20x20 enclosure + the coop. Eventually they'll be allowed around the property, but that'll have to wait till the rest is fenced.

So, which 2 should we keep? We decided to go with Buckeyes this time, so we'd like to keep to breed standard, but would rather not have one that is too aggressive to the kids. Thoughts?

We also tried turkeys this year as well and are doing something similar (keeping 1 tom & 2 girls). Should I use a similar thought process with them as well?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[bobbi-j]

Do you only have Buckeyes? If so, keep the one(s) that looks best to you. If I were breeding for birds to put in the freezer, I'd be going for the one with the most size. If you have breeds other than Buckeyes, you need to think about your flock goals and which one best meets your goal. You will have to process or separate those cockerels soon or your pullets will be chased so much they won't be able to eat, sleep or have any peace at all during the day.

 

[Mrs. K]

A rooster will have a long term effect on your flock, much more so than a hen. This is a time I suggest going to the SOP's. Also look at their feet and legs, they need to be straight and strong. As food is a reason, weigh them. Heavier ones should be kept to breed. Personally, I would reduce in chunks, maybe 4, wait a bit, 4 again, and 2 or 3. It is rather obvious who should definitely be culled, the second cut will become more evident with a little time, and then the final cut.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Pretty much what they said. First decide on your goals. If you have to decide between an early maturing larger cockerel or breed SOP which would you choose? The more different traits you are selecting for the more difficult it is to improve your flock.

Once you decide your goals the first choices should be pretty evident. A few years back I has 17 Buff Rock cockerels to choose from. The first 14 to butcher were pretty easy as they did not meet my goals but the last three were kind of hard. Any one of the three would have worked.

How important is size to you? There are only two of us so we can get two meals out of any chicken, even pullets, so size isn't the main goal, but I do like the larger cockerels. The main difference between a pullet and larger cockerel is that I can get a lunch or two out of a larger cockerel while a pullet only gives us the two main meals. If you are feeding a family size could be a lot more important.

If you were looking only for meat I'd ask what age do you plan to butcher? Cockerels grow at different rates, I'd want a rooster that reached a good size at butcher age so he can pass on those genes.

It's kind of difficult to choose cockerels based on behaviors. At some point one will be dominant and take on several of the duties of the flock master. He will suppress the behaviors of the other cockerels. Those others may act totally different if they become the dominant one by attrition. The competition from the others can affect how the dominant one behaves. As they mature at different rates the one that is dominant can change, though the ones that mature earlier often hang on to leadership.

A big problem at the age you are making that decision is that you choose in adolescence. Hormones are running wild and those adolescents just have no self-control. Once the cockerels and pullets (pullets have a part to play in this too) mature into responsible adults the flock normally settles down tremendously but the teenage phase can be difficult for some people to watch.

My preference is to choose one that matures early and takes a dominant role as opposed to a late bloomer. The early maturing ones tend to have enough self-confidence to win the pullets over by force of personality rather than just by brute force. I find that the hens don't respect the nice sweet shy cockerels so those cockerels are more likely to resort to brute force to gain and maintain the position as flock master.

There is a lot of debate on here on how to raise a cockerel so he doesn't become human aggressive, how much is inherited and how much is how they are raised. I think both play a part. In my opinion heredity plays a part but a large part is how the people act around them and the flock. A self-confident person is a lot less likely to be attacked than one that exhibits fear. I've had a rooster that did not bother me at all but would go after others that were obviously afraid of him. Kids that chase the hens and give him a reason to defend his flock can cause problems even for what would normally be a non-aggressive rooster.

I can't tell you how any cockerel or rooster will act toward humans. I think the more self-confident ones are less likely to resort to violence to start with so are less likely to be human aggressive or brutes to the hens, but about any rooster whould defend his flock if he thinks they are threatened. If one does become human aggressive, whether toward me or anyone else, he doesn't stick around long. I think this is a trial and error thing on your part. Try one and if he doesn't work out, try another.

To me choosing which cockerel to keep is probably the decision with the greatest unknown outcome as far as behaviors. You are making that decision when they are adolescents and the hormones are in control. Also the social interaction between the dominant and weaker ones can change dramatically when that dominance relationship changes. Just try to pick the one (or ones) that best meet you goals and good luck.