Can I get by with 2 roosters and 6 hens?

[Mrs. K]

The more roosters you have, the more chance you have for a wreck. If there is another solution, I would recommend not keeping the extra rooster. Get some experience. IMO, roosters take experience and a lot of space.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I’ve helped my son-in-law on his poultry farm, so I’m not opposed to idea of raising birds for meat alone,

Sounds like you have the perfect 'out'.....take him to live(or not) on the farm.

The whole rooster ratio is......
The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.

It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.

Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.

It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.