How many Roosters does it take....

[jaamnhills]

I have been icubating my own eggs this year and it has been pretty fun, but I don't have as many fertile eggs as I would like to have. I have 1 Rooster and 21 hens. is my ratio for hen and rooster too low? Do I need another rooster and if yes, how do you introduce another rooster to the family? My rooster is RIR, 12 RIR hens and 8 Barred Rocks. Thanks for any advice!!

 

[MayberrySaint]

I think the recommendation is 1:10, so maybe you need another roo. Also, I'm sure he has his favorites, so not all the hens are getting serviced.

 

[justusnak]

I agree....another rooster is needed....however...it can get pretty ugly with 2 Roos. I have 11 hens, 2 roos. They get t o free range from about 10 am, untill dusk. This gives the roos some space from each other. They still squabble from time to time, but the RIR is the ALPHA roo.

 

[MayberrySaint]

When I picked my 3 roos to keep (out of 15 MM sent me as warmers), I selected the alpha roo (it was obvious as he was a real bruiser and aggressive) and then 2 lower-rung roos. They seem to get along great and the alpha roo is protective of his little brothers. I'm sure that they will squabble when breeding time comes but having one so dominant will lessen the fighting.