2 roosters or 1???

[MEchickenfarmer33]

hey everyone,
I have one year old rooster which is my only rooster in my 18 hen flock. I have two chicks that are 5 weeks old and one is a hen and the other a rooster. I wanted to know if I should have two roosters for my new 19 hen flock or if there would be lots of fighting and competition? I know the rule was 1 rooster for every 10-12 hens but there is a 2 year difference between my flocks(10 are a year old and 8 are 3 years old) so will the 2 roosters fight over the 10 young hens or will one move on to the older girls? Also my mom doesnt mind the roosters until they begin crowing and I have read places that the less dominant rooster won't crow because of a territorial issue. sorry if its confusing so you may have to read it twice.

 

[The Chickeneer]

I have had 5 rooster live good together with only ten hens. It was beacause the roosters grew up together, and they already know who is in charge. The less dominant do crow less, but they will crow. If the chick grows up around the older rooster, they will get used to each other, and will be ok, especialy since he is a year younger, he will accept his inferiority and know that the other one is in charge , so they wont fight. I hope this helped.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

thanks again!!! seems like your my savior for answering questions tonight!!!! So yeah I did have a previous flock of 2 roosters and 6 hens who grew up together and they fought mostly with the hens and not mainly with the other roo. they were very aggressive when mating and often picked on the hens to show dominance!!! It was horrible to hear the hens screaming!!! So do you think the age difference will make a difference in dominance because as I said before the two previous roosters I had grew up together and maybe always thought one was on top?? who knows!! The little roo that's 5 weeks old is sooo cute and nice and I REALLY REALLY REALLY dont want to have to sell him to someone i dont know so if i can keep him that would be prefered!!!

 

[LaynaDon95]

It would depend on how the roosters did together and how they treated the hens. Even if they get along, they might mate the hens too much and rip out their feathers and give them sores. Roosters can handle 20-25 hens on their own usually, so a second would probably not be necessary, but as long as they get along, and treat the ladies well, then it will be fine.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

ok thanks because I REALLY want to keep him so I guess the worse case scenario is that we eventually do have to get rid of him. It will be easier to get rid of him then once he is hurting the ladies!!! Also if the abuse becomes a problem and we remove the younger roo will my older roo recognize the absence of the competitor and stop abusing the hens or will he continue to hurt them. because if I have to get rid of both roos its not a risk I want to take because I LOVE my current roo, Duke!!! He is also very gentile with the hens. When mating most of the time they just lay down for him without scuffling.

 

[LaynaDon95]

Yes, if the roosters don't get along it should be very easy to remove him and let things go back to normal. There isn't much risk, it's just a try it out and see if it works. If it does, great. If not, just remove him. It shouldn't be a big deal. Now, you can expect a little fighting at first. The new guy is gonna have to find his place in the pecking order. Let it take it's course and don't interfere. Unless they are hurting him (like bleeding, not just "ouch he pulled out some of my feathers") then you will do more harm than good by interfering. If they do make him bleed, just clean him up and put him back with them, as long of he's not hurt too badly. If you have or can easily make a smaller wire enclosure in the coop, big enough to keep him in for a few days so that he can get used to sleeping in the coop, and they can all get used to the newcomer, that would be best. If they can get used to seeing him before they ever have contact with him it will make it easier for him to find his place in the flock.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

yeah we have a place inside the coop that is a box that allows them to see eachother. Ill try that!! thanks

 

[LaynaDon95]

sounds great. I'm no expert on any kind of chicken husbandry, but if I can do anything to help, let me know.

 

[JodyJo]

I have 14 hen and 2 roos....they were raised together, but now the dominant one has been knocked off his perch, so to say, he is now the 2nd in command...it seems when raised together they tolerate each other to a point, depending on breed. You can give it a try and see what happens...you can always get rid of later on. I am about to get rid of roo #2, I have hatched out a bunch of chicks this year and one of them is going to be a gorgeous roo...would like to keep him and get rid of the more aggressive #2 roo.

Good luck to you, you came to the right place for answers!

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

haha i know this is the best place for chicken questions anywhere!!! Yeah ill give it a shot if my mom and dad will deal with the little extra crowing than he should live and die here. He was the first ever chicken I had hatch on my chicken "farm" so I am extra fond of him and really dont want to give him away. wish me luck