Hen:rooster ratio

[ehoneybee]

I heard it's ten to one ideally but I have the opportunity to get free chickens as many as I want with the caveat that I must take the rooster I really only wanted for hens (hence my 4 chicken max coop I bought last week haha) what should I do? Right now the rooster is in with about 20 hens (I think, unless they have another rooster but I get the idea they don't want roosters so probably just the one.

 

[chicmom]

Why don't you buy chicks? Then you can watch them grow and really enjoy them. You can purchase all females, unless you buy bantams, then they won't be sexed. Chicks are pretty inexpensive. But if you really want those hens, just take the rooster and then give it away on Craigs List for free.

 

[ehoneybee]

That's what I'm thinking... Why not chicks? The hens were born in May and I'm impatient ;-)

 

[ehoneybee]

So, the hens aren't laying yet and there's a rooster. I imagine he still tried to mount? Should I keep them separate?

 

[lazy gardener]

Do you have birds already? The big issue for you is going to be housing. If I was getting into birds, and had a flock of POL birds offered to me, I'd jump on that opportunity as long as:

1. I didn't already have birds.

2. I had a coop and run big enough for them: 4 s.f. in coop, 10 s.f. in run/bird.

3. I was willing to accept the breeds available.

4. The birds look and act healthy and I was willing to deal with any extra live stock that they might be bringing along (mites and lice).

You can always rehome or eat the roo. I would not keep a roo in a flock with only 4 birds, though some folks do so without problems.

 

[lilmarie84]

I just got my 1st flock this year and I did a lot of research on this particular subject because I knew early on that I wanted a rooster If you are worried about the eggs being fertilized I have been told that it is not necessary as long as you don't let the hens keep the eggs but you can if you want so that he doesn't over work the girls

 

[ehoneybee]

I just got my 1st flock this year and I did a lot of research on this particular subject because I knew early on that I wanted a rooster If you are worried about the eggs being fertilized I have been told that it is not necessary as long as you don't let the hens keep the eggs but you can if you want so that he doesn't over work the girls

That's what I'm worried about. I wanted a small flock (up to 5) and I worry a rooster will be too much for 5.

 

[ehoneybee]

Do you have birds already? The big issue for you is going to be housing. If I was getting into birds, and had a flock of POL birds offered to me, I'd jump on that opportunity as long as:

1. I didn't already have birds.

2. I had a coop and run big enough for them: 4 s.f. in coop, 10 s.f. in run/bird.

3. I was willing to accept the breeds available.

4. The birds look and act healthy and I was willing to deal with any extra live stock that they might be bringing along (mites and lice).

You can always rehome or eat the roo. I would not keep a roo in a flock with only 4 birds, though some folks do so without problems.

I do not have pre existing birds. They are from my husband's co-worker. I honestly don't know too much just that they're obviously hardy to our zone and we have to take that damn rooster!

 

[lilmarie84]

I have 1 rooster and 6 hens

I ordered my chicks from Meyers Hatchery and before I got them I chatted with there customer service reps and they assured me that with 6:1 that they would be fine

I hope this helps some

 

[ehoneybee]

I have 1 rooster and 6 hens

I ordered my chicks from Meyers Hatchery and before I got them I chatted with there customer service reps and they assured me that with 6:1 that they would be fine

I hope this helps some

Funny! When I talked to a rep from my pet chicken he said 10:1 is the ideal ratio.