Rooster keeping

[BuckeyeHomestead]

Hey all, so I've been doing research, and I know you can house Roo's together with no hens, and they'll be just fine with each other. what I was wondering if that is you have a run for the boys, but they can still see girls sometimes through the fence, or hear them, would that still cause problems with them? and if seeing them would, what about making a fence that they can't see them through, would that then work? thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've always kept them where they can see the hens. The only problem I've had with keeping roosters together is if I try to add more to an established batch. That never worked out.

 

[BuckeyeHomestead]

I've read about that. it seems that if you add younger boys that haven't really started crowing yet that the others will usually let it go after the pecking order has been run through.
do you keep several in a run together?

 

[wrathsfarm]

I've added 3 recently to 3 older. It went pretty good with minimal chasing and harassing at first until they learned their place.

1 side (east) of their run is completely open, long north side is sight blocked for winter and west side is clear shower curtain so they can see the girls.
They do tend to get agitated at times but no major fights break out with an older dominant cockerel in charge.
Younger 3 on left, 2 older in middle, oldest (white) on right.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've read about that. it seems that if you add younger boys that haven't really started crowing yet that the others will usually let it go after the pecking order has been run through.
do you keep several in a run together?

I have. Currently I have none penned. The last batch went in the freezer as there was too much chasing and mating each other.

 

[wrathsfarm]

It really boils down to the individual temperament of each boy. For instance, last year I had 7 boys all growing out within the flock and their 3 yr old Sire.
He doesn't allow any mating in his presence but by 13-14 weeks their too hardwired for him to control especially free ranging so I need to separate them out.
All 7 got along great until one became overly aggressive with non stop harassment with the others. He was the 1st to go and everyone settled down.

You just don't know how good or bad it can get, until it happens.