How many Roo to Hen

[BAMACK2]

I have 2 Roos and 6 Hens in a 10 x 10 x 6 kennel for breeding getting 6 eggs a day. Do you think they are going to be fertile? One is dominate over the other one a little. What do you all think more Roos or am I ok with just the two?

 

[PeepsCA]

IMO... the 2 Roos will cover all the Hens. Other's will say different tho, lol.

I have 10 Hens, 4 Roos (and a Tom, lol) in a 10'x20' breeding pen and I'm setting the first 28 eggs I've collected from them this evening. I'll let ya know in 10 days how the fertility rate is

It may not be that great since these are the first eggs, but ya never know.

Hopefully Mr Tom didn't cover any of the Hens, lol... those will be some pretty ugly babies

 

[BAMACK2]

Lol

 

[chickenpiedpiper]

There is a little yellow book called the Guide to better Hatching, I cant remember who wrote it. I borrowed and read it a few weeks ago, and it had wonderful info in it regarding hen to roo ratio, and it is a LOT higher than I would have thought!!

It said clearly that in studies of NH Reds they used 1 rooster to 20 hens, and had perfect fertility! Now I know that I run more roosters than that, more like one male to ten hens, but I feel I could add more hens in there and those boys would be very willing to make them feel welcome!

The book did also mention, that certain fluffy breeds, like cochins and Orpingtons, would need to have thier vent feathers trimmed in order to assist targeting, so I think it will depend on your breed in that regard.

Good Luck!

 

[BAMACK2]

I have guineas

 

[peacockfarmer1]

i knew a guy that had 1 guinea rooster and 10 guinea hens and he had a good hatch rate

 

[FireTigeris]

I would hazard that the eggs will be fertile, you want enough roo to cover the hen, but not so many to stress the hens out or ones that fight

 

[BAMACK2]

Thanks

 

[bucket04]

I thought I read somewhere 1:1 ratio because they pair up for a season? I have a brooder of 11 keets... unknown genders..... I was planning on keeping 3 and 3, but now I'm thinking I need to keep all 11 if the gender ratio is okay. I also read more males is better than fewer since I have roosters as well, and they will see them as rivals come mating season...? Having more males give them each other to fight with instead of the roosters....?

I have to figure out what I'm doing soon so I can explain it in a believable way to the husband.

 

[robin416]

Quote:
Exactly. You also want to think about mortality before divesting yourself of the extras.

Many of the other posters are talking chickens, they are not talking Guineas. Probably better than 90% of the time males pair up so the chances are many of those females you have are going unbred.