Saukacre
In the Brooder
- Aug 10, 2016
- 5
- 0
- 15
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens? I had chickens five or six years ago when my boys were in 4H. I just got a new flock this spring.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? 3 - A rooster and two hens
(3) What breeds do you have? Black Australorp
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com? Research for better management practices, etc.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies? dog sports, obedience, nose work, barn hunt, agility, etc.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
So here a little background - I looked through the post about rooster over mating but, it really didn't answer my question. I had six chickens, 2 roosters, and 4 hens. Everyone was getting along very well. The one rooster was the boss and the other rooster didn't seem to mind being second. The second rooster did not and does not crow, was very timid and submissive to the other rooster. Then in a very unfortunate incident one of the dogs gained access to the chicken run, the dog killed my beautiful boss rooster and two of the hens. The rooster who is left has a broken wing which is healing nicely, one of the hens had two skin deep punctures which are also healing nicely, the other hen had no physical trauma. They all were very stressed. I have had them in the house, in the air conditioning to reduce heat stress and protect the one hen from flies. Now that the rooster is feeling better he is over mating with the one hen who was not injured. My questions are... Are two hens be enough for a rooster? I've never had less that six chickens. Will he back off on the over mating when he has established his dominance? Do I need to re-home him? Do I need to find more hens? How much time do I give him to settle into his new role in the flock?
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? 3 - A rooster and two hens
(3) What breeds do you have? Black Australorp
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com? Research for better management practices, etc.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies? dog sports, obedience, nose work, barn hunt, agility, etc.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
So here a little background - I looked through the post about rooster over mating but, it really didn't answer my question. I had six chickens, 2 roosters, and 4 hens. Everyone was getting along very well. The one rooster was the boss and the other rooster didn't seem to mind being second. The second rooster did not and does not crow, was very timid and submissive to the other rooster. Then in a very unfortunate incident one of the dogs gained access to the chicken run, the dog killed my beautiful boss rooster and two of the hens. The rooster who is left has a broken wing which is healing nicely, one of the hens had two skin deep punctures which are also healing nicely, the other hen had no physical trauma. They all were very stressed. I have had them in the house, in the air conditioning to reduce heat stress and protect the one hen from flies. Now that the rooster is feeling better he is over mating with the one hen who was not injured. My questions are... Are two hens be enough for a rooster? I've never had less that six chickens. Will he back off on the over mating when he has established his dominance? Do I need to re-home him? Do I need to find more hens? How much time do I give him to settle into his new role in the flock?
. Pleased you joined our community! To your questions - I think the remaining rooster is probably already settled into his new role. I also think he will overbreed just two hens. The two options you mentioned - rehoming him or adding more hens - are both viable. Best of luck to you!
