How many roosters

[Erinnlyn]

So I already know I have more than the ideal rooster to hen ratio, but....is it foolish of me to think we can keep these cockerel chicks? This is what I have, earlier this year we added an older rooster to our 5 hens. He's such a laid back rooster, we thought it would be nice to hatch some chicks from him. My kids loved this whole process. We hatched 2 eggs 8 weeks ago and we now know they are boys We also had a singlet baby hatch 4 weeks later and we bought it 2 buddies (pullets). I'm fairly certain all the younger babies are pullets. The different age chicks are now integrated with each other and are still in the house.

In summary:
When the chicks go outside, they will have their own coop and run (2 cockerels and 3 pullets)

Original flock of adults have their own coop and run (1 roo, 5 hens) Roo is 5 years old

I've only had chickens for under 2 years, so I'd like to hear advice from experienced chicken keepers on if/when I should try to let these flocks free range together, or if I just have too many roos, period. They have 5 acres they can free range on if they want.

 

[Isadora]

With that few females, I would only keep one male unless you're willing to separate the other boys into a bachelor pad.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You're thinking 3 males and 8 females?

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Honestly if they do well together, they could be fine.

 

[Erinnlyn]

You're thinking 3 males and 8 females?

That's what we have. I'd be fine with finding the roos homes, but my kids don't know the reality of the situation and want to keep all, Lol. Plus, I don't know how long roos live. My adult roo is 5 years old and I think what if something happened to him...would be nice to have his son(s). I might just have to do the bachelor pad for the 2 young cockerels.

 

[Erinnlyn]

Honestly if they do well together, they could be fine.

That would be my hope. I've heard it can't be done, and then some are able to keep higher number of roos. I guess it's just up to the chickens!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would seperate the two males, but where the flock can still see them (I find it's easier if you have to integrate one into the flock then due to a death of their buddy). They shouldn't fight, especially if they're separated physically and grew up together.

It's possible them all together would be fine, but I think it would be best to not risk it.

As to long they live, I just lost a 10 year old a few weeks ago, so your older one could possibly still have some years left

 

[Erinnlyn]

With that few females, I would only keep one male unless you're willing to separate the other boys into a bachelor pad.

Yeah, I'd be fine with separating to a bachelor pad. May go that route. I'd hate to get rid of my original roo's sons since he's older.

 

[Erinnlyn]

I would seperate the two males, but where the flock can still see them (I find it's easier if you have to integrate one into the flock then due to a death of their buddy). They shouldn't fight, especially if they're separated physically and grew up together.

It's possible them all together would be fine, but I think it would be best to not risk it.

As to long they live, I just lost a 10 year old a few weeks ago, so your older one could possibly still have some years left

Oh wow, 10 years old. That's pretty good. Yes, I may end up letting the young boys have the small coop and let all hens go with original roo. Thanks!

 

[StarChicken]

So I already know I have more than the ideal rooster to hen ratio, but....is it foolish of me to think we can keep these cockerel chicks? This is what I have, earlier this year we added an older rooster to our 5 hens. He's such a laid back rooster, we thought it would be nice to hatch some chicks from him. My kids loved this whole process. We hatched 2 eggs 8 weeks ago and we now know they are boys We also had a singlet baby hatch 4 weeks later and we bought it 2 buddies (pullets). I'm fairly certain all the younger babies are pullets. The different age chicks are now integrated with each other and are still in the house.

In summary:
When the chicks go outside, they will have their own coop and run (2 cockerels and 3 pullets)

Original flock of adults have their own coop and run (1 roo, 5 hens) Roo is 5 years old

I've only had chickens for under 2 years, so I'd like to hear advice from experienced chicken keepers on if/when I should try to let these flocks free range together, or if I just have too many roos, period. They have 5 acres they can free range on if they want.

I think two roosters with three hens would be a bit much; one rooster can take care of more than three hens, but can the three hens stand two husbands . . . Yep, I'm thinking both of the roosters would consider all three ladies his.

Or, they'd kill each other trying to keep all the gals for themselves.