A rooster and 2 hens?

[elisemarie]

Hi, I recently found out that one of my "hens" is actually a rooster! He's a Silver Laced Wyandotte, about 3 months old. We have two Orpington hens, a pullet and an adult. I am wondering if I can keep the roo with only two hens. I heard that roosters can mate hens to death if there's not enough. Do you think it's okay to keep him, or safer to trade him for a hen?

Image

• elisemarie
• Jul 21, 2017

 

[Pork Pie]

If you have no wish of breeding from him, then best to trade / get rid of him.

 

[elisemarie]

Probably, but is there any risks with keeping him? I just want to make sure my hens won't get injured.

 

[centrarchid]

I think you will do fine with a relatively natural harem like that. Where I am concerned about damage is when roosters compete, rooster is large, or where hens are in poor nutrition predisposing them to feather issues.

 

[elisemarie]

Thanks