Introduce 2nd rooster to 24 hens?

[Ted Brown]

I removed 4 roosters from 25-30 hens more than a year ago. I housed them in separate cages; 2 died a short time ago.

I have 12 Chant hens, I moved a Chant roo from cage to coop&run a week ago. Zero issues with re-integration (Chanteclers are said/known to be docile birds).

My 2nd roo is a Cooper Maran mutt; I want to also re-integrate if its a good idea?

I obviously want fertilized Chant eggs. I have some Maran (black) hens would like fertilized eggs; also have two greys, a partridge coloured and "Diana Berry" 5 years old, coop Queen, silkie. I can alternate the roos or combine.

I have 7 ready to lay arriving end of March.

What say you?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Let's see if I understood this. You want chicks from both roosters with all of the hens. It doesn't matter to you which rooster mates with which hen. One rooster has been with the hens a couple of weeks, the other has been separated. Your concern is that if you put both roosters together with all of the hens the two roosters will fight.

I think there is a real good chance the boys will fight. It could be a fight to the death or they could work out an accommodation where both help take care of the flock. Both will mate with hens but one may have to do that "behind the rose bush".

I can't tell you how it will work out. But I'd try it when I could observe and be ready to intervene. Or rotate the roosters. That usually works out OK.

My preference would be two separate enclosures where each boy has his own harem of your choosing but that takes room.