docile roosters

[mwells6chicks]

So I have 2 cockerels that I rehomed when they were 2 or 3 months old. I assumed they were pullets but 1.5 months ago one started crowing and I was shocked. I don't know why I didn't see it before. lol Anyway the 2nd cockerel was confirmed today. It is a mixed breed without the long tail feathers. From behind it looks like a hen. The comb is large and the neck feathers seemed like a rooster. I saw it mount a hen once or twice and peck at them so I thought maybe she would be a bully alpha hen. But I posted a pic here today and it was confirmed as a cockerel. lol Anyway, I was wondering if this docile cockerel (He has yet to crow) will let the alpha rooster do the mating or will it eventually catch up and start up his mating attempts. He's about 6 months now. The pullets in the flock are 5 months old and I just got the first eggs today (yeah!)
I ask because with 2 roosters I would need to add to my flock, (I have 4 6-week old hens in a separate coop for now). But 9 hens would not be enough for 2 roosters. Unless he remains as he is. Then I won't add. Any thoughts?

 

[Stephanie Mitchell]

They will both try and mate the hens from my experience.. you'll potentially end up with some rough looking ladies from all the mounting, my friends flock was missing all their back feathers from a particularly enthusiastic rooster. If they already get along I would see how things go for now, but duty calls and eventually the males will fight each other for hens and the constant competition really wears on the poor girls

 

[aart]

Only time will tell if having 2 males in your flock will work out, or not.
Multiple males can cause an environment of competition that can lead to fighting or just stress for the whole flock, and their keeper. No reason to have more than one male, or any males, unless you plan to hatch, breed, or just really like cock/erels and are willing to manage the possible problems. I always advise to have a separate enclosure/crate ready to go, cause when things get ugly it can happen fast.

There is no specific ratio of males to females.
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.
...and backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[sourland]

As aart has said, they may or may not continue to get along. They may or may not overmate/injure the hens. Have a plan B in mind for when the stuff hits the fan.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Can't say for sure, but likely there will be competition and stress resulting. Eventually the likely outcome will be fighting/injuries/death of one of the cockerels, and probably damage to the hens as well.

 

[chickens really]

What they all said...

 

[Mrs. K]

be ready, cause if and when it goes south, and they fight, it can happen in a hurry. A 5 foot fish net can be used to separate birds. A large dog crate can work as a temporary pen.

It might work, sometimes it does, but have plan B ready to go.