How many roos are too many?

[cjatthefarm]

I have 5 roosters and 10 hens that are now 6 weeks old. I have 15 more little girls that not quite 3 weeks old. Am I gonna have troubles? Are those just too many men for my girls? The boys currently get along with each just fine, however, is that gonna change?
Thanks

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

1 roo per 5 hens is just fine. I try to stay somewhere around that ratio.

 

[birdicus7]

I think it's personal preference. I have the best success with 1 roo per 10-12 hens. Right now I have 3 roos out of 18 birds. I only wanted 1 but with hatchery sexing being what it is...go figure. Anyway, as long as they get along you can keep what you want, but that will definitely add to the feed bill without helping the egg numbers. They will definitely change as they get older and not always for the best either. Good luck

 

[FarmerDenise]

I prefer 1 roo to 12 hens. Of course I also feel that a loud roo is one too many, a nasty roo is one too many etc. I have around 20 chickens and I prefer to have just one roo.

It depends on why you keep a rooster in the first place. One roo can service 20 hens just fine. But if you are into breeding, maybe you need more, I wouldn't know. One roo is perfectly capable of protecting 20 or so hens. And I only want a few new chicks every year anyway.
I keep my chickens so I can have eggs and meat and fertilizer and for the entertainment value. One good roo is more than enough for our needs.

 

[Cowgirl71]

It really is personal preference. I like to aim for a 1:15-20 ratio.

 

[bywaterdog]

How many roos are too many?


One more than just enough.......................

 

[cjatthefarm]

I don't plan on breeding, just havin' great eggs! I am curious however, about what I read when a hen goes broody and hatches her eggs. If God is willing; I might just let that happen!

I got the five roos from the hatchery when I ordered only 10 hens. 'For warmth & comfort' ! My friend that built my run & house offered to take the rooster that proved to be 'trouble' off my hands---for the roaster, I think!

It seems these 5 guys have worked things out for now. I got a real kick outa watching their chest butting when they were little!

I'm gonna let my little family grow; my real challenge may be really happen when the young ones get big enough to join the 'big girls'! 1 to 5 ratio will be what it is for now!

Thanks everyone!

 

[donrae]

Well if they're only six weeks old, they won't be any problem yet. Problems will come at around four months when they reach maturity and notice the girls. Keep an eye on your hens, if you have bare backs, hens hiding from the roosters or roosters ganging up on hens repeatedly, you have too many. It's not a hard and fast number, it's how everyone gets along.

 

[abhaya]

I wouls see what happens Some roos will get along where others wont. If you want fertile eggs with that ratio you are gonna get them. I have 2 roos 1 free ranges with the gig girls one is a silkie with the silkie flock But they are never together.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I would say 1 roo to 10 hens. The problem with having too many roos is that not only may they fight but they will tear your girls' backs apart. Too many roos breeding your hens is not a pretty sight. My total hatching this year was terrible as far as how many roos were hatched. Had to send about 40 roos to freezer camp. They attacked my girls so bad, my girls had cuts and tears on their backs. They were stressed out.