2 Hens 2 Roosters

[bladergirl22]

My family had ordered 4 hens but 2 of them ended up to be roosters. My dad read somewhere that every 7 hens should have no more than 1 roo. I have gotten very attached to one of our roosters, even though we need to give them both away. Help please!

 

[centrarchid]

What breed(s)? What are you resources including space such as pens / free-range?

And welcome.

 

[bladergirl22]

Our hens are both barred rocks, while 1 of our roosters is a black australorp and the other is a rhode island red. Our chickens are free range.

 

[centrarchid]

If your birds are of commercial hatchery stock then the males (still cockerels until 1 year old) will have a stronger interest in usual in mating and be competitive in doing to so. The ratio frequently cited has more to do with egg fertility versus feed costs. Overmating can occur even when birds in the optimal sex ratio for hatching egg production. Your pullet (will not be hens until one year old by most measures) number is low. I would get rid of one male soon. Rhode Island Red roosters have a reputation for being mean to people so that one I would get rid of first. You could keep both by either penning one or making so you have two flocks of two birds each where they each have their own roost and place to eat. The latter option I do not recommend until you get some experience under your belt. I suggest penning one and learn from him how to keep roosters.