Inbreeding, Etc.

[Akane]

A trio of 2 roos and a hen is kind of a waste of space and feed unless you just really want to keep both roos for some reason and don't care which one is the father of the offspring you hatch. It makes it easier to determine lineage if you only have one roo per group of hens. Then you only have to wonder about which hen is throwing what and usually I can figure it out since I'm not breeding only one color of anything and most of my breeds haven't been bred for shade of egg either so each hen lays and hatches something unique. If you aren't selling or hatching eggs all the time you can always seperate hens into individual pens for a few days and mark the eggs you get before putting them back together. Chickens really shouldn't be kept alone long term. They are social animals. Some roos will also kill each other making small groups with more than one roo impossible and some roos will badly over mate hens if left with too few of them. This is somewhat breed dependent. Roos of certain breeds will tend towards more aggressive behavior than others while some like my japanese bantams can be seperated and thrown together without even an introduction period. I've never had so much as missing feathers on roo or hen caused by a japanese bantam. My standard roos which are welsummer x penedesenca have over mated and torn up hens when I leave too many young roos or not enough hens in the big coop. I also have a smaller hen with a permanent limp from one of the big roos.

 

[Jmurcks]

I'm not clear that the OP realises that a hen holds the sperm within her reproduction system for 2 to 4 weeks after having been bred. I suspect he does because Jmurcks seems like they've read a lot, it's just not clear so I'm sorry if this is insulting in any way.

I am so glad you brought that up because I did want to ask about that! I have heard, don't know if it is true, that cockatiels can hold sperm from a mating for several "layings" (sorry for the terms here). If that is true of chickens I was curious how long you should wait until you are absolutely sure she is clean again or should I just consider that once a female is bred that the two are a pair and never breed her to another roo.

Some roos will also kill each other making small groups with more than one roo impossible and some roos will badly over mate hens if left with too few of them. This is somewhat breed dependent.

I had wondered about that, too. I didn't know if they were like betta fish that cannot get along with another male. Does anyone have any experience in keeping several bantam cochin roos together?
I don't have any chickens now so I am trying to fine-tune all these things before I get started! Sorry if some of these questions seem rather simple!

I wasn't sure how to group them exactly... what do you guys do?​

 

[PortageGirl]

It is totally true, hens do do this. As far as time goes, you should read up and check other sources, but 4 weeks should be a good safe margin, it's not at all permanent so don't worry about that, a few weeks and she's fine to breed to another with no worries.

As far as roos go, some will fight, some get along if they are in the same 'yard' and not in too close confines so one can stay out of the range of the dominant roo. That being said, some roos are so 'alpha' that they will not tolerate any other roo around at all, I'm not sure I'd choose to breed to that sort. It's good that they have strong characteristics, but you don't want them insanely protective either. Temperment is inherited after all. It's not good to have them in close quarters if there are hens in reach, even if they don't try to actually fight to the death, sometimes injuries get nasty.

Generally roos kept in total bachelor quarters get along ok. (keep in mind, the word is Generally! Individual results may vary!)

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
I'm not familiar with bantam cochins. I don't know their characteristics or how aggressive the roosters are toward each other. These threads might give you some information about roosters in general. Hopefully you can apply some of it to your situation.

Breeders managing roosters
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=250327

Number of roosters thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=219443

Managing multiple roosters
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=229968

 

[Jmurcks]

Thanks so much you guys!
I am still debating on exactly how to set everything up but I've got until spring to work it out!

This is going to sound like a stupid question and I pretty much know what you all will say but what do you do with your surplus roosters? The ones you can't use...
I mean, if you eat them - can you even eat a bantam cochin since they are mainly an ornamental breed?