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I keep hearing this, and then from others, hearing that this ratio is only meant to be used when discussing fertility. Which is it?
Jeff, 1/10 is a good ratio for fertility and that`s where that number came from. Some roosters can fertilize more and some less, but 10 is a good ratio. As far as just keeping a rooster, any number of hens is fine, until you get serious about wanting chicks. Then you can select your best hens and pen them with your rooster and get the fertile eggs you need. Some folks have adolescent cockerals that are rough on the pullets, sorta like the labido of teenage boys. If you can tolerate him until he matures, most cocks are gentlemen and treat the ladies with respect. Just thought you would like to have that cleared up. Hope I did. Merry Christmas.........Pop
Pop - I'm not Jeff, but thanks for clearing that up.
A couple of summers ago, I got some roosters from a neighbor. Let them free range with my hens for a very short time, because they wouldn't leave the hens alone. They also fought alot. So it seemed to me that the ratio kept things on a more even keel that way, too. I finally ended up with 3 roosters (all different breeds) running with the 18 hens and they got along OK after they settled their pecking order.
I keep hearing this, and then from others, hearing that this ratio is only meant to be used when discussing fertility. Which is it?
Jeff, 1/10 is a good ratio for fertility and that`s where that number came from. Some roosters can fertilize more and some less, but 10 is a good ratio. As far as just keeping a rooster, any number of hens is fine, until you get serious about wanting chicks. Then you can select your best hens and pen them with your rooster and get the fertile eggs you need. Some folks have adolescent cockerals that are rough on the pullets, sorta like the labido of teenage boys. If you can tolerate him until he matures, most cocks are gentlemen and treat the ladies with respect. Just thought you would like to have that cleared up. Hope I did. Merry Christmas.........Pop
Pop - I'm not Jeff, but thanks for clearing that up.
