New in Tennessee

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Oh, I'm sure that's probably correct!! I don't know how many hens per rooster is recommended, but 7 for 2 seems low! We can always get a few more though. What is the recommended ratio?
 
sunflour said:
I hope we're wrong. But if my math is right that would give you 2 roos and 7 pullets. Most would recommend that's too many roosters for the number of girls you have.
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X2 on that. The recommended ratio of hens to roosters is 10 hens for every 1 rooster as too many roosters will become very hard physically on your hens as they mature; overbreeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. The only reason you need a rooster is to fertilized eggs for hatching and 1 rooster can easily handle 10 hens in that regard. I currently have 25 hens and no roosters in my flock, and I get loads of eggs without the aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, feeding of non-productive mouths, crowing in the middle of the night, and over-breeding and battering of hens that goes along with having roosters (especially too many). My hens are stress free and enjoying life without a rooster around. Even if you decide to want a rooster for breeding more chickens, I would strongly recommend keeping the more gentle one and removing the other one from your flock.
 
Thank you! Hard to tell which one is the less gentle right now! Neither one seems aggressive, but again, they are almost 14 weeks old, so still a little growing to do. I'll see if we can find someone who needs a rooster.
 
PJK63 said:
Thank you! Hard to tell which one is the less gentle right now! Neither one seems aggressive, but again, they are almost 14 weeks old, so still a little growing to do. I'll see if we can find someone who needs a rooster.
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If you can't tell a difference in tempament (which could be the case since both Australorps and Orpingtons are typically calm and gentle breeds), then you might just want to keep the one that you personally like the best. If you don't have a preference there either, then I would probably keep the Australorp as he will likely breed the better lay rate into your chicks.
 
Thank you so much! The Australorp is a prettier bird, for sure. At least in my opinion! I do have some friends that lost their rooster not long ago, so I may see if they would like the orp if they haven't replaced theirs yet! Thanks to everyone for all the help! I've learned a lot about chickens in the last few months, but I still have a way to go!
 
PJK63 said:
Thank you so much! The Australorp is a prettier bird, for sure. At least in my opinion! I do have some friends that lost their rooster not long ago, so I may see if they would like the orp if they haven't replaced theirs yet! Thanks to everyone for all the help! I've learned a lot about chickens in the last few months, but I still have a way to go!
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You're welcome.
 

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