Adding 2nd rooster to flock

[Farmgirl0422]

Hey! I currently have 14 hens and 1 rooster and I was wondering if I could add 1 more rooster?
Thanks for any replies

 

[bobbi-j]

Why do you want another rooster? (One rooster for 14 hens is plenty) What are your plans for your flock? Would you house each rooster separately with his own harem? If you planned on having them all live happily ever after as one happy flock, do you have plans for if that doesn't work out? Are they in a coop/run setup? Free ranged?

If it were me, I'd leave well enough alone and keep the one rooster. Provided, of course, that he isn't human aggressive, or hard on my hens. Fewer roosters = happier hens. They're not being chased and harassed by roosters trying to stake their claim on as many hens as possible.

 

[Farmgirl0422]

Well right now I have a broody hen and she has two chicks and were pretty sure one of them is a rooster. So I was trying to think in the future what I would want to do? So if one rooster for 14 hens is plenty than I would most likely give him away? We don't have two separate areas but maybe I could try splitting it into two areas! Thanks for the info!

 

[bobbi-j]

Well right now I have a broody hen and she has two chicks and were pretty sure one of them is a rooster. So I was trying to think in the future what I would want to do? So if one rooster for 14 hens is plenty than I would most likely give him away? We don't have two separate areas but maybe I could try splitting it into two areas! Thanks for the info!

Hm, that could change things. In my brain, when I read "adding rooster" I think "getting new adult rooster to add to the flock". Not "I think we hatched out a cockerel who would grow up with the flock". Those are two very different situations. It's possible that the young one could grow up in the flock and be subordinate to the other rooster. It's also possible that he could grow up and challenge the other rooster, resulting in some serious fighting (my friend had a young rooster kill her older one in a fight for dominance). You never know, as these are living animals and they are not 100% predictable. I think I would still keep it to one rooster if it were my flock.

 

[Farmgirl0422]

Ok. That is very helpful! I'm still thinking about what I should do.
Thank you bobbi-j!

 

[Folly's place]

If the new cockrel has potential as a new or replacement breeder in your flock, keep him in the group. He may grow into a great replacement roo, or not, but take the 'wait and see' approach. If he's not going to fit into your plans for breeding, move him on sooner. If he develops into a jerk , or just isn't the handsome boy you want, he can move on later. Mary

 

[Farmgirl0422]

I think I will try that! Thank you!