Help us decide if hen or rooster please

[bnicolette]

Hi folks,

We are brand new to chickens. We got our hatchlings in the very beginning of May and things have been going great. Got to build a coop with my boys and raising the chickens has been really educational and fun for all of us. Here is a link to a video I did showing the bird in question.



Video

 

[nchls school]

Hi folks,

We are brand new to chickens.  We got our hatchlings in the very beginning of May and things have been going great.  Got to build a coop with my boys and raising the chickens has been really educational and fun for all of us.  Here is a link to a video I did showing the bird in question.



Video

One rooster-the RIR with the large comb. The rest are pullets.

 

[bnicolette]

One rooster-the RIR with the large comb. The rest are pullets.

Ugghhhhh. Okay. Thank you for the response.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Definitely a rooster, sorry.

 

[bnicolette]

Definitely a rooster, sorry.

Oh, it's okay. He won't pose a problem with quality or quantity of eggs will he?

 

[sophiaw00]

Rooster. He's not gonna cause any issues with the quality or quantity of eggs but he will fertilize them. It's 100% okay and safe to eat fertillized eggs. They don't taste any different and as long as you collect them regulary, like everyday, they won't develop at all so you WILL NOT be eating baby chicks!

 

[Michael OShay]

One rooster-the RIR with the large comb. The rest are pullets.

Oh, it's okay. He won't pose a problem with quality or quantity of eggs will he?

He won't pose any problem with the quality of eggs; the only difference is that they will be fertilized. His presence could definitely affect the quantity of eggs. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature and their hormones kick in, too many roosters (or too few hens) will become very hard physically on the hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. Even with 10 hens, hens will often lay better without the stress of having a rooster around.

 

[Cowgirl71]

He won't pose any problem with the quality of eggs; the only difference is that they will be fertilized. His presence could definitely affect the quantity of eggs. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature and their hormones kick in, too many roosters (or too few hens) will become very hard physically on the hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. Even with 10 hens, hens will often lay better without the stress of having a rooster around.

x2

Rhode Island Red roosters are known for having especially high libido compared to other breeds. I would suggest making sure to give him at least 10 hens, and at least 10-12 square feet per chicken in combined coop/run area (or even better, free range if predators aren't an issue), for the sake of the girls.

 

[bnicolette]

Thank you all for the responses.

Interestingly enough, going out to close up the coop this evening we found one of our Leghorns had blood on the back of her neck. Investigating a bit further and trying to see under the feathers it appeared to be a small hole? We have no idea what happened to her and was hoping that perhaps she punctured it on a nail as they have been spending time under the pool deck during the day to stay out of the sunlight.................thinking she may have jumped and caught the nail on the back of her neck. However, reading some of the posts above I'm thinking that maybe the rooster may have done it to her. This would sure make it easier to either get rid of or process him in the kids eyes. Would this be something that a rooster may do? Has anybody seen this before?

We only have 4 hens and apparently 1 rooster.............again given the replies above maybe that is not a good ratio and we should just do something with the rooster now?

Again, many thanks for the replies.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Thank you all for the responses.  

Interestingly enough, going out to close up the coop this evening we found one of our Leghorns had blood on the back of her neck.  Investigating a bit further and trying to see under the feathers it appeared to be a small hole?  We have no idea what happened to her and was hoping that perhaps she punctured it on a nail as they have been spending time under the pool deck during the day to stay out of the sunlight.................thinking she may have jumped and caught the nail on the back of her neck.  However, reading some of the posts above I'm thinking that maybe the rooster may have done it to her.  This would sure make it easier to either get rid of or process him in the kids eyes.  Would this be something that a rooster may do?  Has anybody seen this before?

We only have 4 hens and apparently 1 rooster.............again given the replies above maybe that is not a good ratio and we should just do something with the rooster now?

Again, many thanks for the replies.

Where exactly was the wound? On her neck, or on the back of her head? If it's not on the back of her head, I really doubt it was the rooster. If it was on the back of her head, it still seems unlikely, IMHO. Usually their back and the back of their head are bare of feathers (from over-mating), before any real injuries occur. Your pool deck explanation sounds very plausible, especially considering that Leghorns have a reputation for being skittish. A beetle may have made a leaf move and she jumped away suddenly.

A 1:4 rooster/hen ratio would not be great. The hens would be much less stressed, and thus lay better, without him. If you can't have at the very least 8 hens for him, I wouldn't keep him.

Edited to add: And even if having 8 hens was a possibility, I'd think twice about keeping the rooster. That's still a less than ideal ratio.