Cockerels or pullets?

[mschele]

RNewbie here. I've only had my "girls" about two months and they are four or five months old. Nine or ten days ago I got all excited because I thought Melie (short for Amelia) was singing for me, getting ready to lay. I've since realized that MEL was just learning how to crow. Melie/Mel is in the first pic, with pointed hackle and saddle feathers, sickle feathers, and a larger comb & wattles. Any idea what breed this is? I was ok with the idea of one rooster, but now Midge--not sure what the male version of that will be--is showing some of the same signs. Midge is the black chicken in the second pic. Her/his hackles are suddenly more pointed and he/she appears to have sickle feathers, although this one's tail has always been a little longer. The feathers are much more colorful than a couple weeks ago, too, showing more white and iridescence. I don't know what breed this is, either, so let me know what you think. Not sure what I'll do with two roosters, so I'm crossing my fingers that I'm just paranoid. Thanks for your help!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

They look like an olive egger and maybe an easter egger. In other words, cross breeds.

 

[2 many chickens]

Yes both are males. Some type of crosses.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree, I believe they are both some type of mixed breed cockerels. They're gorgeous!!

 

[chrissynemetz]

How many pullets do you have? Two roosters would usually need quite a few hens, and a lot of space.

 

[mschele]

How many pullets do you have? Two roosters would usually need quite a few hens, and a lot of space.

That’s a new problem I didn’t know I had until today. Lol. I only have two others that I hope are hens. They have a 4x6 coop with a 10x6 run, but they’re out in the yard several hours every day. Outdoor space isn’t a problem—we live on 50 acres—and I’ll get a couple more hens. But is there any chance I’ll be able to keep both without another coop? They are beautiful and so far quite social, and I was instantly attached to them, so I’d hate to have to give one away, but if I must....

 

[Stepnout]

I would say by your description you only have room for one cockerel BUT he will likely over bread your 2 hens. Others with more experience will give you better advice on the ratio of hens per rooster. They are good looking birds.

That’s a new problem I didn’t know I had until today. Lol. I only have two others that I hope are hens. They have a 4x6 coop with a 10x6 run, but they’re out in the yard several hours every day. Outdoor space isn’t a problem—we live on 50 acres—and I’ll get a couple more hens. But is there any chance I’ll be able to keep both without another coop? They are beautiful and so far quite social, and I was instantly attached to them, so I’d hate to have to give one away, but if I must....

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

They look like an olive egger and maybe an easter egger. In other words, cross breeds.

x2

 

[chrissynemetz]

If you want to keep both cockerels you can, but it does take more work. You would definitely need lots of space, and more pullets. Many people recommend 10 hens to each rooster, but it will depend on the individual cockerels. Some boys are laid back and mellow, some are crazy hormone driven jerks.
You just want to watch them with the girls to make sure they aren't being over mated. Teenaged hormones... some people separate the cockerels from the flock until they're older and a little less 'mate every thing that moves' hormonal.
And then there's fighting. If the cockerels grow up together they do usually get along better. But they will almost always fight at some point, with one becoming the dominant rooster. That's where the 'lots of room' comes in. Make sure they have space to get away from each other if they need to. Those fights have the potential to get really ugly if they don't have enough space.
It's always a good idea to have a pen available for you to separate them if needed.
Also, if you've never had roosters before there are lots of articles and threads on here that can give you some really good advice on keeping them friendly.

 

[mschele]

If you want to keep both cockerels you can, but it does take more work. You would definitely need lots of space, and more pullets. Many people recommend 10 hens to each rooster, but it will depend on the individual cockerels. Some boys are laid back and mellow, some are crazy hormone driven jerks.
You just want to watch them with the girls to make sure they aren't being over mated. Teenaged hormones... some people separate the cockerels from the flock until they're older and a little less 'mate every thing that moves' hormonal.
And then there's fighting. If the cockerels grow up together they do usually get along better. But they will almost always fight at some point, with one becoming the dominant rooster. That's where the 'lots of room' comes in. Make sure they have space to get away from each other if they need to. Those fights have the potential to get really ugly if they don't have enough space.
It's always a good idea to have a pen available for you to separate them if needed.
Also, if you've never had roosters before there are lots of articles and threads on here that can give you some really good advice on keeping them friendly.

Thank you for the advice! I started researching here as soon as we decided to get chickens and I have learned so much from all of you over the past few months. I have a friend who can take one of the roosters, and that’s probably what I will do, as much as I hate to part with either one. She has 10 or 12 girls who can use some protection, and some of hers were even hatched with these guys. Being inexperienced with chickens, I don’t want to get in over my head and make things bad for any of us. Thanks again!