Are 22 chickens too much for one Roo?

[bulldog-girl]

I got a roo by default, and so far my DH has let me keep him. He is pretty laid back and does not crow too much.

My question is, I have 22 girls. I can't get another roo. so far they are treating him well. I am not hatching so I don't really need a roo. He gets alone well with the girls. Will that many girls cause him to "burn out"? I would rather re home him if that is more than he can handle. He is doing his "roo duties" although he is a bit of a fraidy cat. I don't mind that though.

 

[speckledhen]

He'll be fine. I have two roosters, brothers, in with close to 40 girls and the alpha rooster wants them all for himself. Im sure that eventually, if I removed his brother, that fertility would go down, but if you aren't worried about that, he'll be in hen heaven!

 

[max13077]

I bet he's thinking life is good....

 

[Lollipop]

Max ratio for good fertile eggs is 10-12 to 1. If you ever want to hatch any of his eggs just pick about 10 of your best hens and pen him with them while you collect the eggs you need. Otherwise, many women is good for him.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I have 20 hens and 1 roo and all is well. He does a great job taking care of his ladies. I would keep him.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
If you don't need high fertility rate or any fertility, your roo will be fine.
He will not get "overworked", he will just pick as many girls to service as he pleases.

Animals go by instinct and body ability, not by greed, quotas or ambitions like humans

LOL

 

[Chauntecleer's Keeper]

He would probably spur himself if he had to listen to all those hens squalk about their feelings.

 

[notsooldmcdonald]

It should be fine. I have 20 girls and one rooster. The only time I notice that it might be challenging is when I let them free range. He works SUPER hard to keep tabs on the flock, and is constantly running around to keep girls from wandering too far and pay attention to predators. He doesn't eat a whole lot when the flock is out.

Good luck!
-C


Quote:

 

[FrenchHen]

Chauntecleer's Keeper :

He would probably spur himself if he had to listen to all those hens squalk about their feelings.

But the very fact that he'd spur himself points out that he does indeed have feelings....​

 

[TriciaHowe]

He doesn't crow that much because he's TIRED!!!!!!!

Did I just say that out loud?