[Jackie]

When I hatch some eggs the chances are I'm going to get a proportion of cockerels, now instead of killing what I think is cockerel chicks how do I house the cockerels until they are of eating size?

Do I have to house them separately or can I house and rear them together, obviously I dont want them to fight.

[Roxy]

I house three bantam cockerels with their dad at night with no problems.  I have 8 cockerels of various breeds free ranging with the hens.  Most of them have been here since chicks, but some came at an older age.  All respect each other and keep to their own part of the field with their own selection of ladies.

If they are reared together they tend to be ok, although the skirmishes do start when they get interested in the ladies.  Like I say, mine get along fine.

I can bet your will get more cockerels than pullets - I always do each time.

[Rosemary]

I agree with Roxy. We have two cockeresl and they do their own thing - one's the boss and the other respects that.

If you are going to keep them for the table, I wouldn't let them free range as a) they get tough because the muscles are well used and b) they take ages to fatten because they run off the food they eat.