How many roosters can I keep?

[briana1975]

We have all the chickens together and they are almost 7 weeks. To young to act up much yet. We are keeping Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons and Silkies. We also have 12 RIR roosters. It is starting to look like 2 of our BO's are gonna be Roos. I am not sure about the Silkies yet but the are pets for my boys. I want to keep 1 BO roo so we can have more BO's. But what if the silkies turn out to be 1, 2 roos too? Will it be a problem? 2-3 Roos with 12-14 hens? Sound like a lot to me but I really wouldn't know. What do you guys think?

 

[flip9109]

it depends on the temperments of the roosters, I have 4 roosters with 16 adult hens and they get along fine no fighting at all.

 

[RIVERRAT]

i had 3 roo's,16 hens. only 1 roo left. big rir killed other 2.

 

[gritsar]

With 12 to 14 hens I wouldn't push it past two roos. I now have one roo to 13 hens. Even if the boys don't fight, they'll be trying to mate the hens every chance they get and that will stress the hens out. Stressed hens don't lay well.

 

[briana1975]

This is kinda what I was thinking. I will have to break it to my boys that someones pet silkie will have to go to a good home later.

 

[chickens3]

They will be fine.