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How many hens per rooster?

post #1 of 6
1/29/12 at 6:08am
Thread Starter 

I have one rooster and now 3 hens just introduced Charlie (new hen) to Little Richard and the girls  I have six more chicks  coming in March  If they all survive, that will be 9 hens  Will I need another rooster

 

1 veteran, 1 red dog 1 rooster and 3 hens  old.gif

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post #2 of 6
1/29/12 at 6:28am
No, you will not need another rooster if your intent is fertile eggs. One rooster should easily be able to keep that many hens fertile.

There is a myth on this forum that you have to have 10 hens for every rooster or terrible things will happen. Ten hens per rooster makes a nice flock and is a great target to shoot for, but many breeders keep one rooster with one or two hens without problems. And many people have flocks with one rooster and many more hens and have good fertility. There is no such thing as a magic ratio that solves all problems and makes the world a better place in all situations.

The ten to one ratio is what hatcheries have found that works best for them to get fertile eggs when you have a pen breeding situation. That is where you have maybe 20 roosters in a pen with 200 hens. Due to the random nature of breeding in that situation, that is the ratio that works for them to get fertile eggs.

You don't have a pen breeding situation so that 10 to 1 does not apply. But your 9 to 1 will make for a great flock. I think you are in really great shape.
Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
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Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
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post #3 of 6
1/29/12 at 6:31am
I agree, it's fine.

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Finally! Chickens!!!     Member of the Derperella Club!
My BYC best friends are polishchickens111, ChickenPeep, and willowbranchfarm!

I am the Magical Avian Emperor Mr. Lord King Sir! BOW TO ME or be captured by the evil empire of apples! (Don't be fooled, I'm a girl)

 

 

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post #4 of 6
1/29/12 at 6:31am

They say the ratio is 1 rooster for 10 hens, so a 9 to 1 ratio should be fine. Although the new girls I wouldn't introduce them until they are big enough to sustain him.welcome-byc.gif

"The difference between being involved and being committed is the same as the difference between eggs and bacon. The chicken is involved. But the pig is committed"  Anonymous

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"The difference between being involved and being committed is the same as the difference between eggs and bacon. The chicken is involved. But the pig is committed"  Anonymous

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post #5 of 6
2/2/13 at 6:27pm

Thanks for the explanation Ridgerunner, I've got 30 hens and one young rooster (about 10 months old) and most every egg I crack has a fertility bulls eye on it. If I watch them for five minutes I see him mount at least once or twice, so I can only imagine how much he's mating over a 14 hour day. I've also seen hens come up to him and squat (I guess when they think it's their time?). I'm about to set some eggs in the bator and will update on the fertility rate in a few days. I was worried that I would need to separate him with ten hens after reading all the "suggested" ratios, but now I think I'll give it a shot with random good-looking eggs.

21 IDEAL assorted crested chickens, 13 Meyer's Golden Buffs, 9 barnyard mixed chickens, 6 IDEAL Production Reds, 5 IDEAL Easter Eggers, 4 IDEAL fawn and white runners, 3 Silver Laced Sebrights, 2 RIR, 2 Bared OEG, 2 RIR/White Leghorn, 2 IDEAL pekins, 3 IDEAL cayuga ducks, 1 IDEAL khaki campbell, 1 IDEAL magpie duck, 1 IDEAL buff duck, 1 Golden Comet, 1 Buff Orp, 1 Jersey Giant

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21 IDEAL assorted crested chickens, 13 Meyer's Golden Buffs, 9 barnyard mixed chickens, 6 IDEAL Production Reds, 5 IDEAL Easter Eggers, 4 IDEAL fawn and white runners, 3 Silver Laced Sebrights, 2 RIR, 2 Bared OEG, 2 RIR/White Leghorn, 2 IDEAL pekins, 3 IDEAL cayuga ducks, 1 IDEAL khaki campbell, 1 IDEAL magpie duck, 1 IDEAL buff duck, 1 Golden Comet, 1 Buff Orp, 1 Jersey Giant

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post #6 of 6
2/2/13 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feanor View Post

Thanks for the explanation Ridgerunner, I've got 30 hens and one young rooster (about 10 months old) and most every egg I crack has a fertility bulls eye on it. If I watch them for five minutes I see him mount at least once or twice, so I can only imagine how much he's mating over a 14 hour day. I've also seen hens come up to him and squat (I guess when they think it's their time?). I'm about to set some eggs in the bator and will update on the fertility rate in a few days. I was worried that I would need to separate him with ten hens after reading all the "suggested" ratios, but now I think I'll give it a shot with random good-looking eggs.

And he's the happiest rooster around!

 

I ran one roo with around 17-20 hens and had good fertility.

Rachel BB
 

Well, the kittens aren't so cute anymore and the easter egger cockerels are in the freezer. Plus, I think offering them as "prizes" scared folks off! So, I'm still posting quotes, if you know it let me know. I'm very enamored of this new one, it may hang around for a while!

 

"If I'd known the world was ending I'd have brought better books"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rachel BB
 

Well, the kittens aren't so cute anymore and the easter egger cockerels are in the freezer. Plus, I think offering them as "prizes" scared folks off! So, I'm still posting quotes, if you know it let me know. I'm very enamored of this new one, it may hang around for a while!

 

"If I'd known the world was ending I'd have brought better books"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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