How many roosters are too many?

[owen8082]

My wife and I bought forty chicks this spring (straight-run) and sixteen are roosters. I had originally planned on just culling a few of the roosters for the freezer, but now we are both really attached to them and I don't see that happening. Is it fair to the birds to keep that many roosters together, or will they just fight constantly? They are about eight weeks old now and get along okay now, but I'm afraid that may change. They do have a couple hundred acres of farm ground to roam, so will that help having so much room?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

About all you can do to even try to see if they will get along is to seperate most of them from the females. that is what they usually fight about. Keep a couple in the regular flock and create a bachelor pad for the others or the will fight.

 

[Camelot Farms]

I have 7 free range roosters on 2 acres. We have no problems. Everyone knows their place and when someone gets 'cheeky', they are quickly put back in their place by the others.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Duh free range...I was thinking in a coop together

 

[underground chickenman]

In my neighborhood? One.

 

[KellyHM]

I have 4 roosters and 12 hens, all of which free range. They do perfectly fine together and the ratio isn't much different than what you're describing. As long as one doesn't turn out to be a bully they should do fine.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Quote:
Duh free range...I was thinking in a coop together

You always make me giggle

BTW, we had a mare named Cindiloohoo. I liked her too... lol

And yes, being compared to a horse in this case is a GOOD thing...