How many hens do we need

[SueT]

Hmm. I actually run a family day care. Funny thing is that he comes when called, loves a comb rub and is more social and placid with people than the rest.

If you run a daycare on the same property where you allow contact with a rooster, I would say he's a liability.....

 

[Unearthed wonder]

He can be confined to an enclosed section. At the moment they free range between there and the back yard. I think it is the being chased down by children that has made him so tame. He is the boss of the hens, however, seems to know his place with people. I am aware this can change very quickly though. Thanks for the advice.

If you run a daycare on the same property where you allow contact with a rooster, I would say he's a liability.....

ca

 

[aart]

'Ratio' is no magic solution....and often misunderstood and misapplied.
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.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.


At 13 weeks his hormones are not quite up and running yet,
his behavior may change drastically when they do and it could happen soon or in a month or two.

Hmm. I actually run a family day care. Funny thing is that he comes when called, loves a comb rub and is more social and placid with people than the rest.

These are often the ones that become human aggressive...ever heard the term 'familiarity breeds contempt'?

If you run a daycare on the same property where you allow contact with a rooster, I would say he's a liability.....

Ditto Dat^^^

Keeping a male chicken takes some experience and awareness, there are subtle behaviors you need to be able to recognize and know who to react with to keep the peace. Adults can have a hard time understanding and applying this, can be much more difficult, if not impossible, for a young child to do so.

Maybe y'all can do just fine, I dunno,
but be ready to isolate him, cause if/when it goes sideways, it can happen fast and be disastrously injurious. With small children around and being new chickeneers, I would strongly suggest against keeping a male bird. Little kids faces are right in a cockerels range of fire.

 

[Unearthed wonder]

Thanks.

'Ratio' is no magic solution....and often misunderstood and misapplied.
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.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.


At 13 weeks his hormones are not quite up and running yet,
his behavior may change drastically when they do and it could happen soon or in a month or two.

These are often the ones that become human aggressive...ever heard the term 'familiarity breeds contempt'?

Ditto Dat^^^

Keeping a male chicken takes some experience and awareness, there are subtle behaviors you need to be able to recognize and know who to react with to keep the peace. Adults can have a hard time understanding and applying this, can be much more difficult, if not impossible, for a young child to do so.

Maybe y'all can do just fine, I dunno,
but be ready to isolate him, cause if/when it goes sideways, it can happen fast and be disastrously injurious. With small children around and being new chickeneers, I would strongly suggest against keeping a male bird. Little kids faces are right in a cockerels range of fire.

 

[Mrs. K]

I find that roosters raised with just hatch mates are often just as you describe, much more outgoing and braver than the pullets. They are just darlings, and people cannot imagine that changing. However, roosters with just hatch mates grow faster and mature faster, and they are the biggest of the flock, and often times become bullies. There is nothing else big enough to give them some chicken manners.

Roosters are not like kittens and puppies, that if you give affection, they become life long affectionate pets. Chicken society is different. Every time, any two chickens meet, one of them is submissive, and one is dominant. When you preen him, you are being submissive. When he sits on your lap, you are being submissive. He will eventually more than likely begin to tidbit you, and if you are not submissive enough, he will find that a challenge.

Most daycares are for children under 5. Most roosters will attack children first, then women and finally even men. A rooster attack has ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. Small children can easily take the attack in the face.

People who are just starting out in chickens often times miss the cues that the darling is changing. This board will shortly be full of where the darling became the nightmare.

My advice is a hen only flock until your children are older than 6 years old. I recommend a hen only flock the first year, get some experience. Roosters take some experience in my opinion. Then after a year, consider getting a year old rooster, that has a proven track record.

If I had a day care, I would not risk the chance of a rooster escaping and attacking one of the children. I think you are risking quite a bit. I have a rooster, and a large set up, but when my grandchildren are here, extreme caution is practiced, and if I had them every day, I would not have roosters. And I do have experience.

Mrs K

 

[Unearthed wonder]

Thank you!
Purposefully got them from the hatchery so this would not happen. Wanted them as chicks so they could be handled from day 1. I had heard so many stories about buying them at markets.
What is the most humane way to get rid of him if we do choose to go that way?

I find that roosters raised with just hatch mates are often just as you describe, much more outgoing and braver than the pullets. They are just darlings, and people cannot imagine that changing. However, roosters with just hatch mates grow faster and mature faster, and they are the biggest of the flock, and often times become bullies. There is nothing else big enough to give them some chicken manners.

Roosters are not like kittens and puppies, that if you give affection, they become life long affectionate pets. Chicken society is different. Every time, any two chickens meet, one of them is submissive, and one is dominant. When you preen him, you are being submissive. When he sits on your lap, you are being submissive. He will eventually more than likely begin to tidbit you, and if you are not submissive enough, he will find that a challenge.

Most daycares are for children under 5. Most roosters will attack children first, then women and finally even men. A rooster attack has ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. Small children can easily take the attack in the face.

People who are just starting out in chickens often times miss the cues that the darling is changing. This board will shortly be full of where the darling became the nightmare.

My advice is a hen only flock until your children are older than 6 years old. I recommend a hen only flock the first year, get some experience. Roosters take some experience in my opinion. Then after a year, consider getting a year old rooster, that has a proven track record.

If I had a day care, I would not risk the chance of a rooster escaping and attacking one of the children. I think you are risking quite a bit. I have a rooster, and a large set up, but when my grandchildren are here, extreme caution is practiced, and if I had them every day, I would not have roosters. And I do have experience.

Mrs K

you

 

[Mrs. K]

Well you can try and rehome him, or put him up for sale, and don't ask question. You can process him yourself, and if you feel uncomfortable eating him, just bury him and plant a rosebush.

I am an older woman, that must do my own. I find using a towel or something to restrain him, then a banded razor blade. I slit his neck on each side just below the jaw line, they tend to get very tired, and maybe only a few death throws. It does help if you have moral support. It is not easy, but it can be done. Others use a hatchet, or the broom stick method, both of them completely acceptable and have been also used for centuries. I have also seen a loping shears to just cut the head off.

I am glad that you are open to this, as I do think it would not be a good thing to keep him.

 

[VA Jenny]

Wow, I just learned alot! Have 6 hens only. But if I ever want a roo this info helped. I am new to chickens.

 

[Naser]

How many hens do we need ?

More

 

[lena_]

I don't want to start any arguments, but I don't think it's fair to the OP for people to be jumping to the conclusion that the OP should kill their rooster.

I have three roosters, and all of them are respectful of my personal space. They do not approach me, I approach them. I have younger siblings (8 months,5 years, 8 years, 11 years and me) and the roosters have never shown any sign of aggression towards them.

As long as you and the children are respectful of the fact that the rooster is a dominant male that has the instinct to protect his females, there should be no issues. That being said, it would be best to shut him and his hens away whilst the day care group is around. If you do let him out whilst the daycare group is around, it is necessary to keep a very close eye on him, any aggression and he should go.

I think that as long as you teach your children that he isn't a cuddly pet, and that they must respect him, there will be no problems, and most certainly no reason to kill him.

All the best
-Feather