Hello new here just got my flock

Date sort Score sort
DROCK91

DROCK91

Hatching
Jan 11, 2017
1
0
9
Fort Mitchell AL
My flock has just as many hens as roosters any possible issues raising them up together? thoughts and concerns are
400
welcome.
400
 
Welcome to BYC :frow

Ideally you should have a minimum ratio of 1 cockerel : 6 hens, so I'd reccomend either eating or rehoming most of your cockerels.

Too many cockerels will result in the poor hens becoming over-mated, and will cause them servere stress (which can result in them stopping laying and possibly dying of the stress)....

Also housing that many cockerels together will make them fight a lot, and they can cause a lot of damage to each other with their sharp spurs.
 
welcome-byc.gif


The rooster to hen ratio I've always heard is 1 to 8-10 hens. I'd start thinning them out until you find a balance that works for you and your girls.

Best of luck!
 
G’Day from down under DROCK91
frow.gif
Welcome!

As you have already received some good advice regarding your rooster to hen ratio, I will just add that I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
 
I have heard one rooster can handle 10 hens. But, even with the best division of sexes, generally the docile hens are going to get overbred repeatedly while the ones that run and hide, do much better. Roosters are never going to lay eggs, so extras are not worth the money. Hens will continue to lay just as many eggs without ANY roosters though they will be infertile eggs (won't hatch)
 
Rooster temperament is a big factor here. Yes, do reduce your cockerel load, but think carefully about which one(s) to keep. Ideally he will respect you (defer to you when you walk toward him), be fair with the hens (sometimes they choose a favorite, but it's best to have one that loves all his ladies equally), and have a vigilant eye for predators. If you decide you can't part with several boys, make sure they live in a bachelor pad where the competition for hens is nonexistent - this will lessen the fighting - although you may have some who will beg to go to freezer camp by their behavior no matter what you do! I don't envy you your choice. I ways find my little cockerels to be so darn cute, outgoing and fun - oh that they could just stay that way!
1f602.png
1f414.png
 
Greetings from Kansas, DROCK91, and
welcome-byc.gif
! It's great to have you with us! Yeah, sounds like your rooster ratio is a little out of whack. If you don't make them a bachelor pad or rehome them, they make a delicious chicken and dumplings! Best wishes!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom