1 rooster per 10 hens? Can 4 roos & 40 hens be in same yard?

[kathyinmo]

I have read that there should be 1 rooster per 10 hens, if you want fertile eggs. Can I keep 4 roos and 40 hens in the same area? There is PLENTY of room. I guess another question is ... does each roo have his own (same) 10 hens all the time, or do the roosters have different hens each day?

These chickens have all been raised together, and they are about 7 weeks old now. I am thinking I will probably end up with 4 - 5 roosters.

 

[chickenlittle32]

IMO, it depends on the temperament of the roosters. I have 4 roos and ALOT of hens...silkie roo stays with silkie hen...i have one roo that is king...so he breeds with most of the hens....The other 2 roos sneak in a session...LOL but overall, they get along great.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Just from my own experience they will get along fine together if they grow up together or a juvenile comes up under the eye of the dom. roo.