2 cockerels 4 hens? Really a problem?

[Puckaster]

Hello.

So I hatched 2 cockerels 6 months ago (an exchequer leghorn and columbian blacktail) and they have joined the flock of 4 other hens (6 birds total). 1 cockerel is the boss, does most of the growing and bosses the girls about and mates then, the other one is the bottom of the pecking order of the whole flock. I'd really like to keep both cocks but not if it will be bad for the girls. Will he mate with the hens even if he's the bottom of the pecking order? I could get up to 3 more hens to balance the numbers, but even this is below what ive read 2 cockerels need to keep things balanced and not over work the girls. What should i do? Find the cockerel a new home? Or see how it goes....

 

[Cyprus]

See how it goes
https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/28/3/760/3057961

 

[aart]

Only time, and close observation, will tell.
Have a place ready to isolate if necessary....if it goes sideways it could happen fast!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yeah. I've had one to one ratios in the past that worked out great (bantam OEGs) but generally, they don't, especially with young cockerels in the springtime. And the less dominant one will mate with the hens. So see how it goes and prepare a "chicken jail" for if you start noticing bald spots.

 

[DobieLover]

You can keep him until it isn't working out any longer. It sounds like things are fine right now.
I tried to keep a second cockerel with 9 pullets.
All 11 were raised together as day old chicks. Once the dominant cockerel started mounting the pullets at 15 weeks old I started to worry things would go sideways. It worked out for about 3 weeks before the girls started getting tag teamed by the boys. Too many screaming pullets and feathers flying for my taste. The nicer of the 2 cockerels found a flock of 4 hens of his own and is doing great.

 

[chickens really]

Just wait and watch how they act as they mature. The more Docile could be watching and waiting for his opportunity to challenge the more mature Cockerel. Or they could live happily...

 

[Puckaster]

Thanks all for your advise. So does it happen that some cockerels don't mate with the hens because the dominate one has control? Or will he just be waiting for an opportunity to jump one when the lead cockerel isnt watching? He's starting to crow more the last week or so.

 

[chickens really]

Thanks all for your advise. So does it happen that some cockerels don't mate with the hens because the dominate one has control? Or will he just be waiting for an opportunity to jump one when the lead cockerel isnt watching? He's starting to crow more the last week or so.

Yes..Your exactly correct...He is waiting and watching. He will definitely take an opportunity to breed when he thinks he can. So be ready...

 

[sourland]

Given enough space it may work. In a pen/coop situation my gut says that conflicts will increase as the subordinate matures. Have a 'Plan B' in mind just in case.

 

[123RedBeard]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster, or ... dumplings!