Adding to my flock.

[Heffalump]

Currently have 5 ex-batt hens and one very timid banty Plymouth rock rooster cross. Getting a big new coop sorted in a few weeks time and I'd like to add to the flock. I would love to get a couple off Buff Oprington hens and a Buff Oprington rooster so we'd hopefully get some chicks. I'd also like another few hens, the breeder has Cream Legbar, Sussex, Barnevelders and White Wyandottes Araucanas and leghorns, so I was thinking the 2 BO hens, 1 BO rooster, a couple of araucanas and maybe something else.

What do you think? Is there any chance that the two rooster will be ok together?
I am happy to split them into 2 smaller flocks if needs be,but would prefer one big one!

 

[LaurEliz]

I have had two roosters together before with little to no issues multiple times, and I do currently as well. I think that there's no harm in giving it a try to see if it would work. If not, you could go for the two smaller flocks afterwards. It really depends on the individual birds and their personalities, but I would give the one big flock a chance, since you'd prefer it that way.

 

[LaurEliz]

Side note: I would also look in to making sure that you have enough hens for both roosters as well. I believe it is suggested for there to be ten hens per rooster. Right now I have two roosters and fifteen hens in my flock, not counting chicks I currently have. So far that's worked fine for me.

 

[Heffalump]

I think I would end up with around 12/15 by the time I'm done adding to my flock. I've read Opringtons are quite friendly and docile as far as rooster go, and my current rooster is very timid so I hope it goes well.

 

[Pork Pie]

This link on space requirements may be interesting:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Shadrach]

Currently have 5 ex-batt hens and one very timid banty Plymouth rock rooster cross. Getting a big new coop sorted in a few weeks time and I'd like to add to the flock. I would love to get a couple off Buff Oprington hens and a Buff Oprington rooster so we'd hopefully get some chicks. I'd also like another few hens, the breeder has Cream Legbar, Sussex, Barnevelders and White Wyandottes Araucanas and leghorns, so I was thinking the 2 BO hens, 1 BO rooster, a couple of araucanas and maybe something else.

What do you think? Is there any chance that the two rooster will be ok together?
I am happy to split them into 2 smaller flocks if needs be,but would prefer one big one!

Two smaller flocks may work better ime. You would need two coops.
You will need a coop of some sort for quarantine anyway.

 

[Heffalump]

I will have my new bigger coop in 2 wks time, so will have it plus the old smaller one, in total about 60sq ft of coop space. Their run is very big. I think you could technically fit 60 chickens on it, but I don't want a packed to the rafters type of environment. They also free range for a few hours here and there.

 

[Col1948]

The farm I bought my hens from a few roosters in one big flock, they were taking turns crowing.
What I'm getting at is are the roosters together now at the place you are getting them from, if they are used to each other it might work, but I'm far from an expert?

Col.

 

[Shadrach]

I think a lot of people manage a flock with more than one rooster. It can work well with the right roosters and a stable flock.
I have four separate groups and each has at least one rooster. I've got eight roosters here at the moment.
For me, I find the dynamics between each group fascinating. I've learn't a lot about chicken behaviour from having this arrangement.

 

[Heffalump]

The two roosters aren't together now. I currently have one young timid rooster and then would like to get a Buff Oprington rooster in a few weeks. He would be quite young too.