Do we have a good ratio?

[KikiDeAnime]

We currently have 7 layers. Yesterday I sold a hen due to her escaping so much.
We also have 3 pullets.
Our mother hen will be staying in the flock that consists of her and her 6 baby chicks.
However! These chicks are Polish so we are very likely to end up with 2-3 boys.
I already planned on re-homing one if we do end up with 3.

If I end up having separate the 2 boys because they start drawing blood from fighting, Can 1 boy have 7 hens and the other have 8?

Is this a good ratio for each cockerel?

Tomorrow I'm also getting 4 Frizzles so those will be divided up into each flock if this is the case.

 

[DobieLover]

Male chicks raised together generally get along fine once they've established who's dominant.
If you have hens, they will help keep the boys in line when they start feeling their oats.
These are animals and you can't predict what their behavior will ultimately be but you have a fair chance of having things work out in your flock if you have two brothers raised by adult hens all in one big flock as long as they have lots of space.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Male chicks raised together generally get along fine once they've established who's dominant.
If you have hens, they will help keep the boys in line when they start feeling their oats.
These are animals and you can't predict what their behavior will ultimately be but you have a fair chance of having things work out in your flock if you have two brothers raised by adult hens all in one big flock as long as they have lots of space.

This is what I was told many times.
But is the ratio good in case I do need to separate them?

 

[DobieLover]

This is what I was told many times.
But is the ratio good in case I do need to separate them?

You can have one cockerel and one pullet. Many people keep breeding pairs and trios. It would be fine if you want to maintain 2 separate flocks.

 

[aart]

But is the ratio good in case I do need to separate them?

There are no magic numbers with live animals.

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

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.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

There are no magic numbers with live animals.

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

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.

They both will be for protection and possibly breeding.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The typical flock I carry through winter is one rooster and 6 to 8 hens. One year it was one rooster and five hens. I don't have problems with over-mating or barebacked hens. I assume those are your concerns.

One year when just starting I had one rooster (actually a pretty mature cockerel) and seven pretty mature pullets. Two of those pullets became barebacked so I ate them. That was the end of my barebacked hen problems though the ratio went from 7:1 to 5:1. The problem was not the cockerel, it was not the ratio. The problem was the two pullets.

One of the keys to this though is the level of maturity. Things can be really calm with mature birds but when the hormones hit the cockerels you will probably see some real drama. Sometimes it isn't too bad, sometimes if can be hard to watch. If you can make it through their adolescent phase you should be OK, but that can be a challenge. That is the risky time period.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

Having a plan in place and ready to go to separate roosters is a good idea. You may never need it, but if you do, you are ready.

 

[LaidWithLove]

Ratio sounds fine to me, especially if the females will be older, and more dominant which is what it sounds like. Just be prepared to change tactics if the roos turn out to be aggressive. My extra large roo has done from 13 to 24 hens, with around 18 being his favorite spot. (no hens with bald heads, bare backs, etc. none of mine have ever had wounds from him though)

 

[aquabum]

How you keep them whether together with original or mixed in can make a difference too. I thought I would have enough hens to keep an additional Roo once. Well 6-7 hens per Roo wasn't enough and the new cockerel began to wear out my hens and I had to cull him into the crock pot.

Just see how it works out and just be willing and able to do the necessary deed of re-homing or culling if it becomes a problem. Every situation is different and I've seen roosters with 3-4 hen to rooster ratio and not be a problem before.