How many roosters?

[Farmbabies]

The coop is only 36 sq ft? That's going to be tight for just your first batch of chicks. Is the one you are planning to build bigger?

I need to measure it again. It doesn’t seem right. Should be just fine for 18. The 9 I have out there currently have room to spare on one of two roosting bars.

My husband went out but only measured the roosting bars. I have 13 feet of roosting space.

 

[aart]

I need to measure it again.

Take your camera with you.
Dimensions and pics are most helpful.

 

[Farmbabies]

This is the best picture I could get today. The squirming toddler made juggling a camera and cleaning a coop interesting.
If my dad can bring tools with him what I am tempted to do is take off that back nesting box and make a mirror image of this on the other side. Otherwise I come up with a different design.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

That looks nice!

 

[Stefrrr]

What breeds are your hens? Are these standard cochins? I've tried keeping standard Cochin roosters. They are so big and hard on the hens. I always ended up butchering them because of it.

You can just keep everyone until you start seeing troubles. Than start removing troublemakers. That's what I do.

You could possibly keep all 3, but they will be hard on your hens. 2 roosters may go at it constantly. 3 can displace aggression.

If your flock is confined it may be hard to keep more than 1 rooster. It just depends on the individual personalities.

Can you say a little more about what you mean that 3 will displace aggression?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Can you say a little more about what you mean that 3 will displace aggression?

Two roosters will only focus on each other. 3, or more, will switch who they are squabbling with or avoiding. The more roosters the less likely that two will fight to the death because other roosters will often get involved which can break up the fighting.

You can keep 2 roosters together as long as they both are mellow.

 

[Hucklekree]

I cannot stress how much it depends on the individual roosters. Every group is different. It comes down to your preferences for temperament and their ability to get along with each other.

Case in point, I currently have six roosters spread over two flocks. Two are great friends and have their girls. The other four manage their girls. I am surprised that just the two get along so well, because in the past I had had problems with just two but it works for them. If I were to combine the two groups, as I really want to, there would be chaos. As it is, of the other four, one at least is going to freezer camp soon because they are having some problems overbreeding their girls.

As a rule of thumb for myself, I don't get set on any rooster until after their first adult spring and those hormones hit them hard.