I gathered 7 eggs today from my 20 week old ladies

[perrypogue]

I'm so happy ... today I gathered 7 eggs from my flock of 9 hens. They were born on 5/15 so they are 20 weeks old today. I've got all RIR's ... 9 pullets and 2 roos.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Congratulations, obviously they are all related. Are you planning on keeping both roosters, they will eventually be too much on your girls. Hope you make a nice omelet out of them new eggs.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

22 weeks actually but who's counting?

Nice to finally not have to buy eggs isn't it? I'm still waiting, 25 weeks and still waiting...

 

[perrypogue]

That's an interesting comment about my two roos being too much for my 9 hens. The second roo was a mistake ... I had ordered only one. I only want one ... I've just been reluctant to 'take him out'. Also at 20 weeks the roos are big birds ... considerably larger than the hens so I suspect they eat more. I only added a rooster because they're pretty and I wanted to hear them crow.

I'd be glad to give one away ... maybe I'll tell the folks at my feed store that I have one that would be free ... that may work quickly ... but if it doesn't I'm going to do whatever I need to do but he's got to go.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I always advise that you keep as few roosters as you can and still meet your goals. That’s not because you are guaranteed problems with more roosters, just that more problems are likely. The only reason you need a rooster is for fertile eggs. Everything else is personal preference. It sounds like your personal preference is to have one.

While it is possible, depending mostly on the individual personality of the roosters and especially how much room you have, to keep two roosters and seven hens together, I fully support your decision to get rid of one. The feed store is a good idea. You can also advertise a free rooster on Craigslist if you wish. People sometimes have the same problems with barebacked hens and over-mated hens when they have one rooster with over 20 hens that they can have with two roosters and seven hens, but with the 2 and 7 those problems are more likely.

A big problem is that they are not yet hens and roosters, they are pullets and cockerels. Mature chickens act a lot differently than adolescents. If it hasn’t already it can get really wild in the coop and run when those hormones get out of control. Since your goal is one rooster I think getting rid of one of them is a great idea.

 

[minichicks05]

Waiting for my chickens to lay there eggs and then I hear purring why are they purring

 

[microchick]

I'd keep a close eye on the girls. Every flock is different. If your alpha rooster isn't letting his buddy anywhere near the girls long enough to mate, and if your girls look happy and healthy with no saddle feather loss or loss of wing feather loss from over mating, then two roosters is a good number and works for your flock.

I am of the belief that roosters, like hens, at times succumb to illness or injury, so it's good to have a second male around just in case.

Plus, like you. I like roosters.

 

[perrypogue]

Well I've known from the beginning that I had one too many roosters ... obviously I wish he had been a pullet as ordered but mistakes are made ... but yesterday I got rid of the 2nd rooster ... it was a bit sad for me as they all seemed to get along and were all friendly towards me ... but for the good od my flock (not to mention the wasted feed for #2) I'm now down to one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Always a rough decision, such decisions are all a part of keeping chickens, glad you were able to do it.