Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[lcrombie]

We have 4 ex batts we've had for 3 years and 3 Leghorn hybrids the same age, kept in separate eglus as the hybrids are quite aggressive and tend to bully the ex batts. We then acquired 2 cockerels who were hatched by friends who could not keep them. The cockerels seem to get on really well with each other but none of the old hens seem to enjoy their company! When in the same run as the cockerels, the hens are very loathe to come out of the roosting box in the morning, sometimes not until lunchtime. We had the cockerels with the ex batts to start with, then put them with the feistier hybrids instead, but same problem. Dilemma is what to do with cockerels? Separate them so they're in together with no hens, or give them some hens each but separate from each other? They all free range together at weekends and evenings ok at the moment but I'm concerned if they're separated during the day they are more likely to fight. Is it better they see each other with their respective hens, or for the boys to be together but not getting any action from the hens? We have a large square eglu where they can all go in together and sometimes do all go to bed together but in the morning the hens won't come out and be with the cockerels. We don't have then for breeding, just pets, and won't eat them as a solution! Just want the most peaceful and low violence option. Can anyone advise?

[Steve the Gas]

Think I got the jist, I would put males in with the hybrids. There will be some aggro until the dominant male takes over. Turf the birds out for a few mornings, see how it goes. Also best to have 1 male to approx 6 hens as a ratio, less and the hens can get too much 'action' as your post says.