Hen too frequently mated... Will it help to cull a rooster?

[lendyseason]

Good thread but I have a little different question:

I have 12 Hens and 5 Roos (from a straight run). I am getting 12 eggs a day but the girls are getting destroyed by the raping. Id like to reduce my Roos down to only two but I don't want to lose egg production.

How long do hens generally stop laying when you disturb the "pecking order"? Wich Roos should I take care of?

Thanks

 

[chels23]

In my opinion you have too many roosters for that number of hens.

 

[lendyseason]

I certainly agree so I plan on getting rid of at least three but my question is, when I remove the roosters will the egg production stop a while because I have upset them?

 

[Wynette]

May I ask why you are opposed to using saddles? I've used them in the past with excellent results. Just curious. It's true that with that number of hens, the Beta roo most likely is not mating with the hens anyway. If they get along, I'd keep them both and use saddles on the girls. JMO.

 

[lendyseason]

Good idea but I just need to reduce my numbers, would like the meat, etc?

Have you seen a reduction in eggs when you reduce your roos?

 

[chels23]

The egg production shouldn't decrease or stop. I have 8 chickens and no rooster and get at least 5 eggs a day.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
I think saddles would be great, too.