- Jul 3, 2013
- 1
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Hi,
Just signed on as a new member but have already found a ton of great information here as I recently planned and built my coop/run. I hope someone with experience can help me. I've searched but can't seem to find answers to these particular questions. I have 16 Barred Rock hens, 8 months old, purchased online. They are all laying and doing great.
1. Would adding only one rooster provide indefinite flock sustainability? I'm thinking at first everything would be fine, but over the years would inbreeding become an issue?
2. In your opinion what would be the best rooster breed for long term sustainability with these hens. Consider I prefer the following in a flock:
a) Hens that are moderately broody...enough to sustain the flock without electric incubation, but not crazy sitters.
b) Heat and humidity tolerant chickens.
c) Looking for dual purpose chickens.
d) Gentle rooster preferred but not required. I realize this may be an individual trait....just so long as he doesn't have a maniacal taste for human flesh.
I had a RI Red rooster I got when he was 6 months old. He was fine with the hens but so darn mean to people that I couldn't let him free range without worrying about my children getting attacked. He has since moved on.
Maybe I should just go with BR rooster? I have one hen that is constantly sitting on (now) unfertilized eggs. I tend to think that long term inbreeding would be worse with a pure BR flock, but don't know.
I'm also considering adding a whole new flock of hens/rooster. Probably RI reds hoping I get a sane rooster. Reduce the number of BR hens and add a BR rooster. A bit concerned about having two roosters in the same house tho.
Any knowledgeable opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all for the information I have already received. My flock is up and running with very few problems thanks to this site, and I love eggs!
Just signed on as a new member but have already found a ton of great information here as I recently planned and built my coop/run. I hope someone with experience can help me. I've searched but can't seem to find answers to these particular questions. I have 16 Barred Rock hens, 8 months old, purchased online. They are all laying and doing great.
1. Would adding only one rooster provide indefinite flock sustainability? I'm thinking at first everything would be fine, but over the years would inbreeding become an issue?
2. In your opinion what would be the best rooster breed for long term sustainability with these hens. Consider I prefer the following in a flock:
a) Hens that are moderately broody...enough to sustain the flock without electric incubation, but not crazy sitters.
b) Heat and humidity tolerant chickens.
c) Looking for dual purpose chickens.
d) Gentle rooster preferred but not required. I realize this may be an individual trait....just so long as he doesn't have a maniacal taste for human flesh.
I had a RI Red rooster I got when he was 6 months old. He was fine with the hens but so darn mean to people that I couldn't let him free range without worrying about my children getting attacked. He has since moved on.
Maybe I should just go with BR rooster? I have one hen that is constantly sitting on (now) unfertilized eggs. I tend to think that long term inbreeding would be worse with a pure BR flock, but don't know.
I'm also considering adding a whole new flock of hens/rooster. Probably RI reds hoping I get a sane rooster. Reduce the number of BR hens and add a BR rooster. A bit concerned about having two roosters in the same house tho.
Any knowledgeable opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all for the information I have already received. My flock is up and running with very few problems thanks to this site, and I love eggs!
