For now, we're keeping them in a separate coop and run area. We do let them out in the evenings with the main flock for free ranging, and they seem to get along fairly well. The boys' run is attached to the main run, so all of the chickens can see each other all day long.
I had read before that if you keep roosters together without any hens, they will get along and not fight because there is nothing for them to fight over. Usually when roosters squabble, it's because they are each trying to claim rights to the hens. I have seen this with Cam and Roosty in our main flock, so I knew that adding in more boys with the number of hens we have would definitely not work. I know most people would get rid of the roosters (either by giving them away or eating them) but I just can't bring myself to do it.
I have a soft spot in my heart for roosters because typically they are unwanted. The dark side of the backyard chicken craze is that everyone wants hens for their eggs, but no one wants roosters. So at the hatcheries, baby chicks are sexed and the boys are simply disposed of in ways that are far too upsetting for me to mention here. They are thrown away because no one wants them, and it breaks my heart that just because they happened to be born as males they meet such a cruel fate.
So even though it's not economically prudent, and it's not the hatching outcome we had initially hoped for, these boys will have a safe home with us. I will never be known as a typical farmer, and even though sometimes it's hard, I hope I will always stick to my guns and follow my heart. To me, each and every animal I care for is someone, not something, and I will protect and care for them to the best of my ability.
~Tammy
good luck! hope they continue peaceful existence!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Tammy.....I love your soft sweet heart...:) I can't stand to see any animal mistreated. Good for you...:)))) What a pretty group of chickens!!!
ReplyDeleteyou have a good heart. your boys are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that no one wants the roosters, but I never really gave that much thought. Now I feel sorry for them, too.
ReplyDeleteAre there pronounced personality differences between males and females?
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind, Tammy! I just can't think about animal cruelty - it breaks my heart. That is why I always adopt shelter dogs and strays. Your roosters are very handsome. xo
ReplyDeleteFour out of five! What are the odds? !
ReplyDeleteWell they are handsome for however much that counts, and lucky for them you are a good chicken mother
ReplyDeleteThey all look like Cam was their dad, so hopefully they have inherited his good nature as well as his looks. Our leghorn rooster has turned out to have a very nasty streak, he's attacking me and Lucy, and we're both scared of him! We have a second rooster who we rescued off the side of the road (off to write a post about him now!) S:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely group of chickens!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, RW & SK
You are a good person to give these roosters a forever home. They are beautiful animals.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful boys. So sweet of you to chose to keep them all. I just got a rooster from someone who was in a similiar situation. But I had 8 lucky ladies who needed a man. Maybe you can still find them homes if they get mean towards each other?
ReplyDeleteSO HANDSOME!!!
ReplyDeleteGot two Roos!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a good, good chicken mom!
ReplyDeleteI was watching a cooking show yesterday and the lady was making Coq au Vin. She said that it was historically made with a rooster but since there aren't that many roosters around anymore... WHAT!! She obviously has never hatched out chicks! ;)
That is a good lookin' boy! I don't think decisions for animals should be made on economics. I think making the decision based on your heart is the way to go! :)
ReplyDeleteAmen sister!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story Tammy. You've brought an issue that I didn't know existed. It's a shame they kill any animal for their sex. Roosters are precisely the most beautiful and striking; with their feathers and vibrant colours. Thanks for sharing such beautiful story and your feelings.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your love for animals! You are such an amazing person and such an inspiration! Hope you have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a big heart you have!
ReplyDeleteTammy, one more reason why I love your blog! You're such caring person!
ReplyDeletewonderful thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't have such a soft, sweet heart you wouldn't be our Tammy!
ReplyDeleteWe had several roosters from a similar hatch and they seemed to get along fairly well, all things considered. I generally would keep any extra roosters (to a point) in case of predation, etc... We are down to one again. It all works out. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, that is so sweet. You may end up with roosters left on your doorstep! ;0D
ReplyDeleteYou have a good heart , I say they always give back and more, what you give to them. Love Roosters quite amusing at times to. :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteTammy, I am so happy the roosters have a safe and happy home with you. I can understand why more people prefer the hens. I hope all animals can co-exist and be happy. You are a sweet person! Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to "fix" the roosters like we do dogs and cats??
ReplyDeleteIf not - it's too bad!!
Oh, I so totally agree. :) Good for you in trying to make it work for them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! I find that mine get along pretty good when raised together. Otherwise, we run into trouble and I have to start separating them out.
ReplyDeleteYou are very sweet! And you have lucky roosters. I didn't know they weren't wanted. They're so pretty, I would have thought the opposite!!
ReplyDeleteI understand. My five remaining hens are old, and most people would have replaced them by now.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that roosters get disposed of at hatcheries. Love that you have such a kind heart to keep them all!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! My sister and her family have been trying to get some control over their chicken population before winter (they had a LOT of chickens roaming around their place, and guineas, too!) She said they really need to eliminate some roosters to have happier hens - the hens have been getting a little beaten up on. She also had one or two roosters that had gotten quite mean toward my four year old niece. But they have a handful of really nice roosters that she's very fond of, and wants to find good homes for them. She said they are too much like "pets" to ever put in a stew pot.
ReplyDeleteWe're considering taking in one of their favorite little guys.. We'll see!
Yes! Love, love love!
ReplyDeleteYes! Yay you and your BIG heart. Your such a great chicken mama!
ReplyDeleteyou ARE a great chicken mama!
ReplyDeleteI currently have six roosters and they don't fight. :) THey seem to have worked out their pecking order, and because they have a lot of space, they do quite well! ANd I'm sure there are some roos in the latest batch of chicks, but I'll figure that out when the time comes. I think I can unload at least one of those guys on my friend who is taking some of the girl chicks.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy our roosters. They are very respectful of humans (including children) and seem to live quite harmoniously. One in a while there's a little tiff, but for the most part it has been fine.
Hey, Tammy. Sorry to bring up such an old post, but I'm curious how your bachelor pad roosters are fairing? We also ratioed high with roosters after four of our six "pullets" turned out to be males (Darn those farm stores and their open bins which are very easy for kids to intermix straight run and pullet baskets). About the time they started crowing, tempers were flaring and they nearly killed each other. We couldn't find good homes (because everyone who has chickens has an overabundance of roosters), so we thought the most humane thing was to give them a quick painless death and use the meat so that their life wasn't taken in vain. We butchered three, which was a complete heartbreaking experience. Because of it, we wont' let our broody hens sit, because we know we'll probably end up with more roos, and I don't want to go through that experience again. If I thought they could peacefully co-exist separate from the main flock, I might give it a try again.
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