cockerels & Hens

[garyballdy]

Hi to all,my question is how long can my birds continue to live together.
The birds are I think 2 cockerels & 3 hens.Not sure about one bird so it might be 3 cockerels.
They are all 12 weeks old and have been together since they hatched.
This is the first time I have hatched any birds so am unsure how to proceed with them.
At the moment they are getting on really well with each other.
Thanks. Gary

 

[tygrysek75]

The chicks which hatch together always get on well even cockrels will tolerate each other for most of the time

 

[E3lx]

It depends.
What breed are they?
I had some dutch bantams where the cockerel lived together with his son. He was about 3 and his son was two. I think the reason that they were fine is because the young cockerel knew his dad was boss. If your 12 wk olds are of a placid breed, they may have a couple of squabbles and then live and let live, but if they are of an agressive breed then they may have a few fights to determine their rank.

 

[chrismahon]

If they are Wyandotte cockerels over 9 months they will happily kill each other in my experience. Serious squabbling starts at 6 months, even with those in the same hatch. At that point we are removing injured cockerels. Orpingtons got nasty at about 12 months, but no major injuries as they were then separated.
In such a small group with good space and a placid breed you may be OK Garyballdy

 

[foxy]

They should be OK now until the spring.

Keeping a mixed sex flock can work, I tend to run surplus cocks together in the winter, however I use an experienced cock to keep an eye on things and stop any squabbling this works when younger subordinate cockerels are put in with him.

Soft feather breeds generally speaking are more tolerant of each other this does depend though on the time of year, number of hens... which can incite fighting so it can work to keep the boys together (away from temptation!!!) and space and if they were raised together, siblings tend to get along until the sap starts rising in February and then the squabbles can break out.

 

[garyballdy]

Thanks for all the replies
It sounds like I may need more housing before to long