Can anyone tell me the sex of these two 6 week old chicks?

[Kyanite]

Ratios I've seen referenced are around 1 rooster per 8-12 hens. I don't know why it's like pulling teeth for you to get an answer to that. Doesn't matter if you're breeding with the intent to hatch chicks or not, a ratio is a ratio. Plus, I think you'd be hard pressed to find an active member here who doesn't already know that a rooster isn't required to get eggs.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

The ratio number that I have seen a lot is 8- 12 as well, also space is as important as a good hen to rooster ratio.

 

[Poultry parent]

We have to rooster to protect/warn the hens of danger, I know you don't need a roo for eggs, their coop is something like 6'x5' I think, they have plenty of room to roam on the grass

 

[LittleChicken23]

Could you free range them at all if you don't already? That will help keep any fighting between Roos down. Some roosters will get along with another roo, and some will try and kill each other. More hens will be better, as well as more space. Good luck!

 

[Poultry parent]

they don't free range but they do have a fenced off area that is about roughly 12'x30', and in the day i open the gate and they have access to a large paddock

 

[Sstewart]

Agreed one and one. Think 11/12 hens per rooster.

 

[QueenMisha]

Ok I thought so, how many hens to one rooster?

It depends on the rooster. The typical ratios quoted are 10 hens per cock, but it will vary greatly from this depending on the bird. I've had Roos who needed twenty hens to keep them in good shape and I've had Roos who needed just one or two. I've had anywhere from two to thirty cocks in the same pen without a problem. Generally speaking once you get below 5-6 hens per cock you're going to start seeing feather wear; this is normal and easily fixed by purchasing hen saddles. However, if the hens begin to act too stressed from mating and begin hiding in the coop, acting skittish, stop laying due to stress, etc., then you have too many or too aggressive of cockerels.

 

[drumstick diva]

agree

 

[Poultry parent]

thanks! i guess i'll just put him in and see how it goes

 

[irishsilkie]

Can anyone tell me the breed of these chicks 5weeks old?