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How many hens for one rooster?

post #1 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 

I got a rooster today to help protect my girls because I am down to 3. My question is how many more hens should I get. Could I get away with 3 more? I have 8 pullets that are 3 months old and the 3 hens. I am wanting to hatch some out in the spring so I don't want to get to many more over the winter. I would love to hear your honest opinion.

Thanks

 

I have 1 dog, 2 cats,  and 4 Chickens!  
 
Chickens are like potato chips
     You can't have just one 

 

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I have 1 dog, 2 cats,  and 4 Chickens!  
 
Chickens are like potato chips
     You can't have just one 

 

Reply

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post #2 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:27pm

You can actually have as many as 25 hens to one rooster------even more!

Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Mommy to 4 dogs; 5 cats; 3 pygmy goats; 3 pot belly pigs; 40 chickens; one Giant Rainbow Plated lizard; and one beautiful blue and gold macaw!!l
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Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Mommy to 4 dogs; 5 cats; 3 pygmy goats; 3 pot belly pigs; 40 chickens; one Giant Rainbow Plated lizard; and one beautiful blue and gold macaw!!l
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post #3 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:29pm

I run one rooster to each five hens but I think most run about 1 to 10.

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain

Whippoorwill Creek Farm, Glen, Mississippi

Hatching eggs, chicks and started birds available in season

 

 

My Barn and Coop Page

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I have never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain

Whippoorwill Creek Farm, Glen, Mississippi

Hatching eggs, chicks and started birds available in season

 

 

My Barn and Coop Page

About Me

Reply
post #4 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:31pm

Yeah some good roosters can have a bunch, as a hen can have fertile eggs for up to 3 wks on one mounting. so yeah get a bunch more and they will all be fine. although he will have his favorites hehehehe.

                                                                                       AL

Standard White Cornish, Dark's & White laced Red Cornish Breeder..........If you don't have Cornish you don't have Chickens. Breeding the best, to the best.
As good as a few and better than most, What You'll Tolerate in your flock is what you'll get.
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Standard White Cornish, Dark's & White laced Red Cornish Breeder..........If you don't have Cornish you don't have Chickens. Breeding the best, to the best.
As good as a few and better than most, What You'll Tolerate in your flock is what you'll get.
Reply
post #5 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:33pm

I have 42 hens and two VERY happy Roos.  And yes they do have their favorites.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=39612-bio-bators
http://www.eggzy.net/
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http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=39612-bio-bators
http://www.eggzy.net/
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post #6 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:35pm

1 - 10 is general rule... However, I have one rooster per hen in mating pairs with no problems? I say depends on the individual (well there is the trio I have together.. But still same principle).

-Daniel

Fourth generation poultry breeder focusing on Kraienköppe- the breed that won my heart and replaced all others on my farm.

No matter how hard things get, always fight for what you believe in- Daniel
http://www.freewebs.com/dtsfowl/

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Fourth generation poultry breeder focusing on Kraienköppe- the breed that won my heart and replaced all others on my farm.

No matter how hard things get, always fight for what you believe in- Daniel
http://www.freewebs.com/dtsfowl/

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post #7 of 17
12/4/10 at 7:52pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks I am going to look around. No one has hens around here or roosters I drove 1h:30m for him. I will have to post pics big_smile

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69773_img_20101204_133802.jpg


Edited by BookWorm243 - 12/4/10 at 8:09pm

 

I have 1 dog, 2 cats,  and 4 Chickens!  
 
Chickens are like potato chips
     You can't have just one 

 

Reply

 

I have 1 dog, 2 cats,  and 4 Chickens!  
 
Chickens are like potato chips
     You can't have just one 

 

Reply
post #8 of 17
12/4/10 at 11:29pm

The no of hens for 1 rooster depends on how active the bird is big_smile Some breeds need more hens (like 15), for others 3 is enough wink

My greenlegged partridge chickens
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My greenlegged partridge chickens
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post #9 of 17
12/5/10 at 4:40am

If you are breeding and want a good fertilily rate, your ratio should be 5 hens to 1 roo.  If you want a good mix for your yard, go to 15 hens to 1 roo.  Even at this rate, you will have plenty of fertile eggs to hatch.

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post #10 of 17
12/5/10 at 8:09am
Thread Starter 

I am going to try and start off with 3 more hens for now because in the spring I am going to have 15. Which should be enough?


Thanks

 

I have 1 dog, 2 cats,  and 4 Chickens!  
 
Chickens are like potato chips
     You can't have just one 

 

Reply

 

I have 1 dog, 2 cats,  and 4 Chickens!  
 
Chickens are like potato chips
     You can't have just one 

 

Reply
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying › How many hens for one rooster?