2 Roosters 2 Hens

[Lilchickmomma]

New chicken momma here. We moved to the country a little over a year ago and bought six chickens. Over time, we've been learning how to protect them. After lots of heartache caused by having one killed by a racoon, one by a hawk, and three by a mink, we've finally got our coop secured (net over the top and metal mesh burried underneath). My husband went and bought 4 more babies for us and 2 of the 4 ended up being roos. The two hens surprisingly started laying an egg each day in January. My question is if it's possible that our 2 roosters can live peacefully with our two hens. So far, there seems to be no fighting between any of them. But that seems too good to be true. Will they be okay together bc they grew up together or do I need to rehome my roosters? As a side note, I am currently incubating some eggs so that I can grow my flock. Any advice is appreciated!!!

 

[MillersFarm]

It's great that you're asking these questions and considering your animal's safety and health. I would re-home a rooster. The best Ratio for chickens would be 6 hens per rooster but 2 hens for 1 bantam roo will do for now. 4 hens for 1 bantam rooster is perfect, even 3 would be enough. As for the incubating, That must be very exciting~ What day are you on? I'm currently incubating 32 duck eggs and i'm on day 3 How's your humidity and temp for the eggs?

 

[FredsGobblers]

The main issue you will have is the roos over breeding the hens. I made the mistake and had 4 roos to 22 hens for a bit and the hens never got any rest and started looking pretty rough from all the breeding. I now hav 2 roos to the 22 hens and all is peaceful.

 

[bobbi-j]

I would get rid of at least one of those boys, or at least have a plan if things start to go downhill. When I had a 50/50 ratio of cockerels to pullets, those cockerels harassed the pullets to no end when they hit breeding age. The poor girls couldn't eat, drink or dust bathe without at least two cockerels chasing them down trying to breed them.

Something else to consider. What are your plans for the cockerels you're going to hatch out? Unless you have a way to keep them separate from the pullets, you are going to have to figure something out. See the above paragraph as to what can happen when you have too many. (Mine went into a grow out pen very shortly after the harassment started.)

 

[centrarchid]

It is certainly possible, but will require some space. Few people have the space. You could isolate one rooster to his own pen holding him as a backup in the event other is lost or proves undesirable for some reason.

 

[Lilchickmomma]

I just put the eggs in the incubator yesterday. I put 8 eggs in, but 2 of them have double yolks (probably bc our hens just started laying) so I doubt they'll hatch but I was curious what would happen. They're currently at 38.2 C. Im dying to candle them, but I'll wait until day 7. We have two acres and extra fencing, so I could certainly separate them. Should I do that now or wait until I notice issues? How do I know if the hens are over bred?
We sure have loved raising our chickens. Our first hens used to lay in my hammock with me and sleep while I read my books. Im hoping to have some chicks like them again!!!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Your double yolked eggs won't fully develop, and will likely have little chicks who die in there. Not nice. Better to eat those eggs instead!
You already have too many roosters; what are your plans for the new chicks? What if you get all or mostly cockerels? Will you eat them? Send them off, no questions asked?
Have an ever growing pen of roosters who are fighting and injuring each other?
Planning first, hatching second!
Mary

 

[MillersFarm]

I just put the eggs in the incubator yesterday. I put 8 eggs in, but 2 of them have double yolks (probably bc our hens just started laying) so I doubt they'll hatch but I was curious what would happen. They're currently at 38.2 C. Im dying to candle them, but I'll wait until day 7. We have two acres and extra fencing, so I could certainly separate them. Should I do that now or wait until I notice issues? How do I know if the hens are over bred?
We sure have loved raising our chickens. Our first hens used to lay in my hammock with me and sleep while I read my books. Im hoping to have some chicks like them again!!!

38.2 C sounds a bit high. Are you sure the temps are right? It should be at 37.5 (99.5 Fahrenheit) How's your humidity?

 

[sourland]

As others have said, the answer to your question is 'perhaps', but have a plan B in mind for when things may very likely go downhill. Good luck with the incubation.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I have 25 hens and 5 roosters. No problems. At one time I had 3 roosters and one hen. No problems. The boys will fight and bloody each other until the pecking order is established, but they get along after that. Mine free range all day, so space is unlimited.