Introducing Roosters to a group of pullets.

[natyvidal]

Hi all. I am a new member. I have two questions regarding by heirloom pullets.

1. I bought 20 pullets Oct. 1st., 2018. They are about 3-4 months old. I know they are not ready to lay eggs, but I was told I could introduce a rooster around the same age as them into to the group. Problem is he is already "jumping" or trying to fertilize them? I was told to separate them until the ladies are older or I can have health problems if they are to young. Like egg bound eggs or worse.

2. Second problem is that I was also given another rooster, same age and same breed as the first rooster, that is not as aggressive and is super docile. Problem here is that every time I introduce him to the pullets they attack him to the extent that they pull his feathers and hurt him. He is always hiding in a corner behind a can and can't come out. He is not as feathered out and aggressive as the other one. The pecking order is horrible. So now I end up having two roosters for my ladies, that I can use for them.

Oh yes, but, it also seems that one of my 20 pullets is turning out to be a rooster also. Very sweet and already integrated into the group.

So I think I now have one rooster to many. (1:10 ratio I've been told?) Which one should I get rid off? The aggressive one, or the mild manner one? Which one on the long run will be better for my group of ladies? I was also told they would figure it out all by themselves with the pecking order but I am concerned that I will go out tomorrow and find the mild manner rooster all pecked out to death. Thank you for your input!

 

[wleigh1021]

I've only just had experience this past year with roosters and I actually love them. Here is my experience: The ladies have their "main man" and anyone else who tries to mate with them they usually fight off. The level depends on the hen. Some just take it, some try to run away, and some go after the less dominant rooster and chase him off. I never found that it was too aggressive, but I haven't seen your chickens in action so maybe it is. It depends on how long they've been together. If this is only their first week or two together I would give it more time (about a month) and see if they get used to him. I also at one point had a 50:50 rooster to hen ratio and it was fine because the younger ones were raised as chicks with the main guy they knew who was in charge and I never had any issues fighting, just small chases. I did however need to invest in hen saddles to accommodate for the extra mating. If you are definitely getting rid of one rooster I would choose the one that is trying to mate with hens too young. This can be a deadly issue with hens. I did 2 hatches this year and never once had an issue with my guys mating young ladies. That's actually a good indicator for me to know when they are about to lay.

 

[123RedBeard]

First question is WHY do you want a cockrell?

Depending on your answer ... it could be keep none, or just one ...

 

[aart]

Multiple males are a PITA....just say No when someone wants to give you theirs

First question is WHY do you want a cockrell?

Excellent question.

(1:10 ratio I've been told?)

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[natyvidal]

First question is WHY do you want a cockrell?

Depending on your answer ... it could be keep none, or just one ...

I am trying to go as natural and organic as possible when my hens start laying the eggs. I don’t want to feed them hormones to promote laying. Therefore I will need at least two roosters to fertilize them according to the info I have been reading for a group of 24-28 egg layers naturally!

 

[natyvidal]

Multiple males are a PITA....just say No when someone wants to give you theirs


Excellent question.



The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

A lot of people have been trying to unload their hens and roosters but I refused since I want to maintain the quality of my layers. The only reason I accepted the roosters was for the reasons I stated. I want organic free range eggs laid by my ladies and no hormones involved. Therefore, the need for the roosters?

 

[natyvidal]

And what does “multiple males are PITA” means?. I am not familiar with the expression. New at this.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I am trying to go as natural and organic as possible when my hens start laying the eggs. I don’t want to feed them hormones to promote laying. Therefore I will need at least two roosters to fertilize them according to the info I have been reading for a group of 24-28 egg layers naturally!

Hens do NOT need a rooster or artificial hormones to lay eggs. Chickens lay even if they've never been mated or fed hormones. The only thing a rooster does is he makes the eggs fertile.

 

[wamtazlady]

I am trying to go as natural and organic as possible when my hens start laying the eggs. I don’t want to feed them hormones to promote laying. Therefore I will need at least two roosters to fertilize them according to the info I have been reading for a group of 24-28 egg layers naturally!

Roosters do not promote laying. You do not need a rooster for your hens to have laying hormones. Hens do not need a rooster mating with them to lay eggs. Your hens will lay the same amount of eggs without a rooster that they will lay with a rooster. You only need a rooster if you want to have baby chicks.

I keep one rooster. I do it because I love to hear the cock a doodle do in the morning.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Your hens will lay the same amount of eggs without a rooster that they will lay with a rooster.

Actually, if the hens are harassed or stressed out by the rooster (or roosters) over mating them, they may actually lay fewer eggs.