Help, please.

[Dona Worry]

Since it's looking like I have 2 roosters in my little flock, I am left with a dilemma.
To me, 2 roosters and 8 hens doesn't seems like a good balance. But, I adore both roos and can't imagine culling either! Nardole was given to me by my cousin, who bought him along with some others as pets for his children, where he was christened Blanche and a great favorite. I can't possibly get rid of him, as the kids have already been to see their old pet, and ask how he is all the time. But Rory (previously known as Rose) is one of the babies I got as day old chicks. Comes when called, eats out of my hand, lets my pick up and carry. . . Can't possibly.
So, do I get more hens? That seems the obvious solution, BUT I worry my coop is too small. I only have 2 nesting boxes, and can't afford to expand it, or add another coop. They do free range, so I don't know how important the size of the coop is, but I know if will be much too small if they ever need to stay in in the winter.
What do I do?!
My little flock outside, and a picture of the coop for an idea of the size.

 

[FranklinAdams]

The more you let them free range the less you need to worry about their fighting! And I noticed that in the winter everyone calms down. There's always a pecking order and chances are the rooster on the bottom rung will be depressed, might even get sick and die. But more roosters also means more protection from attacks from the sky!

 

[alexa009]

How old are your roosters? Has there been any fighting yet between the two? Unfortunately, having only two roosters with only eight hens will cause a lot of fighting and tearing up each other when they start to hit maturity. Adding more hens to the flock will decrease fighting and will reduce stress on the hens. Most people say eight hens is recommended for only one rooster. Adding more hens to your flock is definitely better recommended.

 

[Dona Worry]

The more you let them free range the less you need to worry about their fighting! And I noticed that in the winter everyone calms down. There's always a pecking order and chances are the rooster on the bottom rung will be depressed, might even get sick and die. But more roosters also means more protection from attacks from the sky!

Thanks! Do you think adding another hen or two would help or hinder?

 

[Dona Worry]

How old are your roosters? Has there been any fighting yet between the two? Unfortunately, having only two roosters with only eight hens will cause a lot of fighting and tearing up each other when they start to hit maturity. Adding more hens to the flock will decrease fighting and will reduce stress on the hens. Most people say eight hens is recommended for only one rooster. Adding more hens to your flock is definitely better recommended.

Nardole is about 5 months, Rory only 9 weeks. Nardile seems very peaceful, but it is possible he is only calm because he is a polish crested and doesn't see well.

 

[alexa009]

Nardole is about 5 months, Rory only 9 weeks. Nardile seems very peaceful, but it is possible he is only calm because he is a polish crested and doesn't see well.

5 months and 9 weeks for a cockerel is still pretty young to be developing any male behavior even pretty young to be aggressive. Roosters can usually don't start getting aggressive with you until 6-7 months of age. Things will definitely change as they develop. Nardole will also start beating up Rory when he starts getting into the mating habit and doesn't want him around the females, and Rory is not going to defend himself. I think you should either discard one of the roos or add at least a few females to prevent feather picking or cannibalism.

 

[Dona Worry]

5 months and 9 weeks for a cockerel is still pretty young to be developing any male behavior even pretty young to be aggressive. Roosters can usually don't start getting aggressive with you until 6-7 months of age. Things will definitely change as they develop. Nardole will also start beating up Rory when he starts getting into the mating habit and doesn't want him around the females, and Rory is not going to defend himself. I think you should either discard one of the roos or add at least a few females to prevent feather picking or cannibalism.

With the size of the coop, can I safely add more birds? How many hens would you recommend?

 

[Carolrich]

I have some questions about your coop and set up. From your picture, I can't tell if the coop has a roof. Does it have a roof?
The picture of the land where the chickens free range is beautiful. Do they free range all the time? Do they come back to roost in the coop at night?
Do you have concerns about predators?
I ask because we live on 10 wooded acres with woods and meadows all around. We have foxes, raccoons, possums, hawks and owls. We used to allow our 8 hens to free range all day when we were home but lost two and almost two more to hawks. Now we confine them to a fenced yard during the day. They have access to their run and coop. The protected run is 12 x 14 and the yard is about 2500 sq feet with trees and bushes and lots of places to hide. I miss the joy of seeing my girls run down the drive to me when I come out of the house and the walks in the woods together but seeing two of my girls' beheaded bodies made me rethink what was best for their protection.
To your question about more hens, I think the coop you have shown might be too small for more than 8 hens. Should you choose to expand your flock, there may be ways to expand your coop using reclaimed material that might be affordable.
Best of luck to you!

 

[Dona Worry]

I have some questions about your coop and set up. From your picture, I can't tell if the coop has a roof. Does it have a roof?
The picture of the land where the chickens free range is beautiful. Do they free range all the time? Do they come back to roost in the coop at night?
Do you have concerns about predators?
I ask because we live on 10 wooded acres with woods and meadows all around. We have foxes, raccoons, possums, hawks and owls. We used to allow our 8 hens to free range all day when we were home but lost two and almost two more to hawks. Now we confine them to a fenced yard during the day. They have access to their run and coop. The protected run is 12 x 14 and the yard is about 2500 sq feet with trees and bushes and lots of places to hide. I miss the joy of seeing my girls run down the drive to me when I come out of the house and the walks in the woods together but seeing two of my girls' beheaded bodies made me rethink what was best for their protection.
To your question about more hens, I think the coop you have shown might be too small for more than 8 hens. Should you choose to expand your flock, there may be ways to expand your coop using reclaimed material that might be affordable.
Best of luck to you!

I am concerned about predators, mostly foxes. They are locked in at night, but I let them out by first light. So far, they stick close to the house, which encourage by calling them over to me and sprinkling out feed. I am not sure of the exact coop dimensions, but it is small.

ETA: The walls and floor are insulated, as is the winter door, and there is ventilation up high that can be blocked up in case of REALLY bad weather. It should be a very warm coop in the winter.

 

[alexa009]

I am concerned about predators, mostly foxes. They are locked in at night, but I let them out by first light. So far, they stick close to the house, which encourage by calling them over to me and sprinkling out feed. I am not sure of the exact coop dimensions, but it is small.
View attachment 1457363 View attachment 1457365 View attachment 1457367
ETA: The walls and floor are insulated, as is the winter door, and there is ventilation up high that can be blocked up in case of REALLY bad weather. It should be a very warm coop in the winter.

You have a really nice coop setup for the chickens. Adding more females isn't always the case, especially if Rory is a lot younger. Keep in mind though that Rory will retaliate Nardole in the long run when he hits maturity and might want to develop a harem with the hens. Good management such as places to get away roosting poles, etc.. Will come in use when the dominant rooster of the flock starts picking on the lower roo. It seems like you have that in your coop run. Adding more is even better. This will prevent feather picking and will let the younger one somewhere to go if being picked on. Sometimes it's even good for the hens if being overbred etc. Goodluck!