Which rooster do I choose??? Any and all advice welcome!!! It's an unique situation!!!

[Mrs. K]

Last year, I had two cockerels. They seemed to get along, and they really did not seem to harass the hens. But I had a friend who wanted a rooster, and I had no intention of keeping them both so, I gave her one.

What was amazing is how the flock changed. There was a loss of tension that I really had not been conscious of until it was gone. The girls liked having only one rooster, and began to dote on him.

So my point is, even when it seems like it is going well, it might very well be better with one gone. In a smaller flock, under a dozen birds, more than likely you do not have a huge coop and run. Roosters need space, and occasionally letting them free range really does not make up for too small of space.

Roosters are easy to come by, let one or both go.

@ACS285 - I would not keep a rooster for breeding with a misshapen foot. Not good genetic, and malformations tend to come up in the chicks. Also, a poor foot shape can be very hard on hens and feathers when they mount. When picking a rooster, symmetry is important.

Mrs K

 

[mydaisy]

It's a crapshoot to be honest. I had almost a mirror situation, but in my case I chose Cockerel A because he was so docile with the girls and me. Turns out to be the biggest A-hole to me later down the road. I don't think they fully show their true personality until they reach 8-12 months old. Good luck, I personally just don't jive with roosters and it is not for lack of try.

 

[ACS285]

Last year, I had two cockerels. They seemed to get along, and they really did not seem to harass the hens. But I had a friend who wanted a rooster, and I had no intention of keeping them both so, I gave her one.

What was amazing is how the flock changed. There was a loss of tension that I really had not been conscious of until it was gone. The girls liked having only one rooster, and began to dote on him.

So my point is, even when it seems like it is going well, it might very well be better with one gone. In a smaller flock, under a dozen birds, more than likely you do not have a huge coop and run. Roosters need space, and occasionally letting them free range really does not make up for too small of space.

Roosters are easy to come by, let one or both go.

@ACS285 - I would not keep a rooster for breeding with a misshapen foot. Not good genetic, and malformations tend to come up in the chicks. Also, a poor foot shape can be very hard on hens and feathers when they mount. When picking a rooster, symmetry is important.

Mrs K

I did fail to mention that bit. I don't want to breed him. He's goofy in more ways than his toes. Currently they're both just for protection.

To your point about the easing tensions, I can understand. Rooster tempers can flare up easily and the hens likely sensed how easily the peace could be broken. I see it when my hens are fed up with the boys and retreat to the porch where I can close the gate and give them a break away from the boys.

 

[RCRChx]

For any future chicken owner that stumbles upon this post, I rehomed cockerel A just the other day and the flock is significantly more harmonious with just 1 boy. Not to mention, the removal of cockerel A has really lessened cockerel B's problematic behaviors. Of course, there are many possibilities for this but I do think having only him around without competition was a large part of it. The girls are a little more mature now as they are laying and more readily accepting mating. However, he hasn't done anymore bad chasing (that I've seen!), even when the girls reject him. Also, with cockerel A gone, the girls follow cockerel B around with no issues as he was next in the pecking order. He remains to be very good to them, and while sometimes they still get nervous when he flares up while trying to court them, they are not terrified the way that they seemingly used to be! I hope this helps somebody!

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, had a mature too and 3 cockerels. Lot the too, rehomed 2 cockerels, amazing the difference. Just because you can, many times you shouldn’t.

 

[ACS285]

We also had to part with our goofy roo. One evening he just decided he wasn't taking no for an answer and was seriously harassing the girls. My #1 had clearly grown tired of it and my worst fear was that I'd find the little guy pummeled to death some morning soon. Everyone is happier for it and Baba's aggressive behaviors have all but gone. For the times he acts like he wants to "fight" I found he thoroughly enjoys beating up an old stuffed unicorn toy. Then he's fine.