Hi all, I have 25 white rocks, 7 barred rocks and 6 black sex links. They are all the same age...4 weeks. They were in the brooder together, and now in the coop. The white rocks are all roos as they are only here until the bus arrives to take them to Camp Freezer in another 5-8 weeks. Here is the issue......the white rocks are getting all rooish, mock fights, chest to chest stare downs etc... The BR & BSL (da goils) are either getting caught in the middle or are getting fed up with being pushed around by these little white tanks and are getting defensive. The WR are now 2/3 bigger than "da goils". I do have another coop available and I am considering moving the WR to the other coop until the bus arrives. Do any of you think this would bring peace to "da goils" and allow them to create their own pecking order without the influence of this gang of troublemakers? Oh and one of the BRs is a little roo. I think he needs time with "his goils" Thoughts? Opinions? Cheers!
I'd separate the roos. For the safety and sanity of everyone involved. I have a cockerel that came as a bit of a surprise in my sexed pullets this year. I knew he was a roo by his exuberance. He was constantly facing off with everyone. Unfortunately, he accidentally killed one of the pullets when he pounced on her hard from behind and snapped her neck. He was about 9 weeks old when this happened. It was a fluke, an accident, but the end result was that I had a dead pullet who was far more valuable to me than an accidental male. The number of boys you have would be worrisome as they aged. I would be afraid that some of the girls would be hurt or harassed. To keep the peace I would definitely separate. Good luck.
I suggest you separate them. I had about 8 girls and 8 boys. The whole flock was always running away from each other and pecking at each other and just being wild. Since I've separated them (by about 60 miles with the boys at my mom's house and the girls at my house) both the boys and girls have calmed down considerably. The girls are acting like girls and the boys are only doing the occasional chest bumping and stare downs. It's a much better situation. I will probably bring one roo into the mix eventually once I see how everyone is acting and who the best roo for the girls will be.
Since you have the extra coop, I think separating them is the smart thing to do. You pullets will be forever thankful!!!
