How often do I need a new Roo?

[AdrieeC]

We had chickens as a child, but my parents did all the work...Now I am getting my own chickens.... So If I want to hatch eggs once a year or once every 2 years as some of the hens stop laying, does that mean I need a new Roo every 1 or 2 years? ...poor Wally...

 

[texascowboy1979]

NO... you dont need a new rooster... YOu can keep him.. Trust me.. you will know when its time to change him out... Sometimes you can keep him a few years... or depending on his health... only one... its all in the husbandry... Once you can actually see your rooster look OLD, then you can pick one of your chicks to keep back for a new rooster or buy a new male. My roosters are normally changed about every 7 months... because I eat them... Unless the rooster Im using is better than his kids... then the male stays... but if one of his kids is better built and is a nicer male... then the main rooster goes into the pot and the new rooster takes over...

By the way... I normally have about 4 or 5 roosters around the house... different ages... from 1 month old, to 8 months old...

Ive never had less than 2 roosters.. incase something happens to one,,, I have a back up...

 

[AdrieeC]

So inbreeding is not a concern in chickens?

 

[Matt A NC]

Quote:
It is called line breeding. Very common with show birds and those trying to perfect a breed.

If it is a matter of age, "Dot Man" will be 6 years old in May and is still getting the job done.

Matt

 

[texascowboy1979]

Im sure it might be to an extent or if it gets too seveir...

but If you have lots of hens.. then its not.. Ive got about 12 running the farm... So inbreeding is not a problem... and the chicks normally end up as food when get older until I Switch out the chickens...

I say about... because at time There are more, and at times less...

HOw many hens and how many roosters do you have?

 

[AdrieeC]

At the moment I have 1 Welsummer Rooster. I did not intend to get him first, it just sort of happened. I could not pass on such a gorgeous and healthy bird for only $5! He has 5 days left in quarantine. At that time I will search for at least 1 girl for him so he is not so lonely. I have room in the coup for 8 hens and Wally assuming 4sqft outdoor space, and the way the coup is designed nearly the same sqft inside. I may have to raise chicks this year, but I am hoping to get at least 4 hens if possible...that way I don't have to raise chicks until next year, and I will have hatched them myself.

We have talked about later building a second similarly sized coup and having a second flock with a second rooster, and interchanging roosters every so often when we are ready to hatch some eggs... Since the flock is on the small side. But I am not sure if that is a reasonable possibility or not.

I estimate I will only hatch chickens to keep if I intend to switch them out... but I might hatch a few a year just to sell. There is a surprising demand for chicks around here, and I would defiantly charge less than the feed store...IMHO they are ridiculously expensive.

I know it may be a bit early to think about, but curiosity got the best of me.

 

[math ace]

You need more hens. One roo to one hen is not good. One roo will wear out the one hen and you she will quit laying eggs.

 

[AdrieeC]

I will do my best. There is a man here who wants $10 per hen... I thought this was a bit expensive though...?

 

[greathorse]

Ten dollars is not too much for a young hen, I just sold a few nice pullets for 20 you cant really raise one for much less than ten.

 

[Teach97]

$10 per hen ain't bad....

you could be like some of us and just pick-up extra roos because well....you are an addict and can't stop yourself! The you begin the fun of trying to find that special hen to go with him and well...