A general rule of thumb for just backyard flocks is 1 rooster per 10 hens. So the ratio is for every ten hens, only one rooster. I do, however, break this rule myself anyways. But, most people with breeding flocks have a rooster with two or three hens. I say keep however many roos until they start tearing up your hens backs, then that means you have to many
In my WCB pen, I have one roo with 7 hens. He has 3 favorites, their backs are so bad that I'm considering getting jackets for them, and the other 4 look fine. My last incubation had 7 of 17 infertile. I don't want to thin out the hens or his favorites will really get torn up. Maybe I should put some lipstick on the other 4?
He's a beautiful rooster, and makes beautiful babies, so I wouldn't get rid of him. I just wish he would spread the love...
Maybe separate him from his favorites so that he gets acquainted with the non-favorites and then put the fave's back?
That's a good idea. The only time he gets aggressive is if I mess with his hens. My only worry is that taking his favorites from him would make his attitude towards me match his look
Do it at night when they are sleeping and he can't see you. Then he will just wake up without them...
That's a great idea, thanks!
