1 roo to 1 hen?

[jaydannaduval]

I have 2, 6 month old d'uclle milles -one is a cockeral and the other a "hen". They have been living together very nicely in the same coop since they were babies; I have 3 Amber Link hens next to their coop so he can see all 4 hens at the same time (the bantams didn't get along with the Amber links, so they have a separate, but close, coop). I didn't know if having one only hen to his access-when they aren't free ranging- would create an issue. I haven't seen him be aggressive yet, but he is still young. He has been crowing for about a month, and the banny "hen" hasn't started to lay yet.

What are your thoughts about keeping this love couple together? Ultimately, I would like to incubate some of her eggs this spring, to bring in some more hens for him.

I try to let all 5 birds free range together for at least a few hours a day, that way they can all stretch their legs, and the banny's have some more space, if need be, to do their own thing.

thanks!!

 

[countrygoddess]

They'll probably be fine, having grown up together. I have banty cocks and hens and standard cocks hens and in my opinion, the banty cocks are more relaxed with their sexual urges and are nicer to their girls. A young "hen", BTW, is a pullet. =)