StrawberryMoon
Chirping
Hello Everyone!
I do not have any chickens right now, but I would like to incorporate some poultry into my organic orchards next spring. I am trying to learn and plan as much as possible now, so I will be well prepared to care for them when the time comes. One major question in my mind is regarding extra roosters. If possible, I prefer to buy straight run chicks, and to keep all of them. I understand that the preferred ratio is about one rooster per eight hens, but math predicts closer to a 1:1 ratio. I do know that roosters are not necessary for egg production, that they are very difficult to keep, and that most people choose not to keep any roosters, or at most one rooster. I am just wondering if it is possible to accommodate the roosters rather than kill them. I have only read accounts of one person who has tried this, and that person reportedly had success by housing the hens separately from the roosters. I can try this technique, but if anyone else is out there making this effort, I would love to hear what is working and what is not working! Are there breeds docile enough to boost my chances of rooster success (maybe faverolles??)? Should I build my coop like an apartment building and house one roo +one hen couples? Should I build a sorority and a frat house? Any and all tips are welcome! I am willing to go to considerable effort if there is a way to make this work. Thanks!
I do not have any chickens right now, but I would like to incorporate some poultry into my organic orchards next spring. I am trying to learn and plan as much as possible now, so I will be well prepared to care for them when the time comes. One major question in my mind is regarding extra roosters. If possible, I prefer to buy straight run chicks, and to keep all of them. I understand that the preferred ratio is about one rooster per eight hens, but math predicts closer to a 1:1 ratio. I do know that roosters are not necessary for egg production, that they are very difficult to keep, and that most people choose not to keep any roosters, or at most one rooster. I am just wondering if it is possible to accommodate the roosters rather than kill them. I have only read accounts of one person who has tried this, and that person reportedly had success by housing the hens separately from the roosters. I can try this technique, but if anyone else is out there making this effort, I would love to hear what is working and what is not working! Are there breeds docile enough to boost my chances of rooster success (maybe faverolles??)? Should I build my coop like an apartment building and house one roo +one hen couples? Should I build a sorority and a frat house? Any and all tips are welcome! I am willing to go to considerable effort if there is a way to make this work. Thanks!
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