How many roosters

[yoker]

How many roosters of each breed do you keep?

 

[Master S.M.C]

I keep two rooster per breed for purposes of loss of one through predators so I will always have a spare I guess

 

[Pathfinders]

Two or three, depending on space constraints. You want "an heir and a spare", as the old expression goes.

 

[HBuehler]

Agreed at least 2. I have one for some breeds-the ones I really don't focus on very much so if he's on vacation for any reason it won't matter.

 

[My Little Sister's Farm]

Depends on your goal really. Your breeding rooster is more important than any hen could ever be. He is 90% of your genetics. His genes are not tied up on one ova per day (like a hen), but could be closer to 20 if he's lucky. (And if he passed or was gone for a few weeks, there is the potential for his genes to survive up to 21 days in a hen, if a hen dies, her genes are gone.)

If breeding to improve a breed or to only produce quality stock keep what you really thing is superior. Why keep "a spare" if he isn't worth it. Having one is fine if you don't think your other males are good enough for your girls.

If you have a hen to roo ratio over 10 in a breeding pen your fertility may start to suffer. If you have 50 hens and you are using all for breeding you should have at least 5 roosters in with them (IMO). I guess I would have a spare in this case so your ratio was closer to 8:1, as some hens may be gotten by multiple roos, there will be a few girls who get missed every other day or so.

 

[Pathfinders]

My Little Sister's Farm :

Why keep "a spare" if he isn't worth it. Having one is fine if you don't think your other males are good enough for your girls.

I keep a "spare" as insurance against unforseen events, like predators, theft, illness, sudden death, etc.

Nothing worse than having your only male bird go missing or die if he hasn't been in the breeding pen with his wives. Then you're SOL.​

 

[DawnSuiter]

We try to keep one "understudy"

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

For each breed, as of this moment I have one per each. After this season, I will have two per each.

 

[Chris09]

Like all the others said.. I like to keep 2 roosters per breed..

chris

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I guess (know) I need to cut down on my boys. Oh for the weather to cool off enough to ship.

And I need another trip to the feedstore across town who will purchase (mix-breed) roos (hens too, but those I can find homes for fairly easily).

I haven't counted exactly, but with my partridge I have nearly as many cocks and cockerels as hens and pullets. But they're all so pretty, and they get along well (except for one who gets bullied and so runs and hides on the other side of the yard).

My 3 buff hens have two cockerels. My blues/blacks are pretty much even number--although there may be more boys. Splash is a pair, but I have two growing boys and no young girls. Etc.