Wow, how they grow! 8 weeks old now and I have ?'s

[plumtownwingers]

My chicks are not chicks anymore and I need to know a few things. I have 24 of them, they live in a 6' by 8' coop with a 12' by 24' run.
1. At what age will I (first time chicken owner) be able to tell roos from hens? I plan on thinning the flock to 7-9 hens and 1-2 roos.

2. Is it safe to keep all those young roos together? Some of them have started having mini fights....nothing major.

3. I have 10 nest boxes built into the side they are closed off now. When should i give the bird access to them and how many of
should i open up?

4. Do need to leave a light on for them at night anymore?

Having chickens has been great. I sit in the run for hours just watching them. I have my favs, mostly the nicer ones that jump up and sit on my lap. It will be hard to select my final flock from all them.

Thanks for any advise you have.

 

[thebanthams]

My baby rooster fought each other when they were young, I thought they were cute playing with each other then ! But as they got older, they got too aggressive with each other and toward other hens! I had to find them homes ! They will start crowing about 6 months old. their feathers ( longer on tail) will be more different from your hens. almost more colorful. As for the light they dont need them unless its too cool at night for them. Not sure whats the temps in your area.