Is two roos one too many for 13 hens??

[McChooky]

Old rule of thumb was 7 hens per rooster.

EDIT: Adding hens to make 2 roosters happy made it worse for me. All it did was stress the flock and cause them to be overmated because one of them wanted all of them to himself. It took getting rid of half the flock and one of the jerks to make it work for me.(Some of the hens went with him)Now I only have 8 hens with the one I kept and have a peaceful flock but I don't think my rooster likes me anymore I might get rid of him.

 

[Altairsky]

I think one roo per coop is enough trouble regardless of the number of hens. What works best IMHO is keep smaller flocks in multiple coops with one roo per coop. It mimics the natural society of wild chicken tribes.

 

[GreatGrandPa]

As always, you got to do what keeps your flocks Happy, healthy and productive.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Mine had crowing contests! This did not work for me at all. Their coop was a ways away and out of sight of hens.

Mrs K

As did mine. I had a cockerel pen with 7 males out of sight and sound of the hens. They were the loudest crowing bunch-ever! I think the robins turned them on- lol.
(but they’re quiet now ).

 

[McChooky]

I’ve had chickens in that tree for years lol. chicken wire wouldn’t slow down a predator that could get them in the tree. At least not where I live. I used to get a ladder and get them down but after a few weeks I decided if they’re happier there, then I’d just trust the Lord to protect them. Same reason I let them free range. I try to let the pets I have live as free and natural of a life as I possibly can, because it’s theirs to live, and I’ve seen how much happier it makes them. From our bunny to our dog, all our critters have free range on our land.

It'd be nice to live in a place warm enough that my chickens could roost in trees and not be covered in snow. When they roost in trees here some lose toes from frostbite. My dads chickens roosted in trees for years

 

[LtDanFan]

I think one roo per coop is enough trouble regardless of the number of hens. What works best IMHO is keep smaller flocks in multiple coops with one roo per coop. It mimics the natural society of wild chicken tribes.

I currently have one yard for the chickens but 2 coops within said yard and lots of space for them to escape each other’s company. So far, it has worked well for them. They are one flock during the day and can choose where to sleep as long as its inside. So far, i think the two boys (one cockerel and one teen aged roo) get along fine and they always sleep in separate coops. Not sure if this is an age thing or a broodmate thing (each coops up with their broodmates) or something else.
I am just trying to forstall or prevent having to rid myself of one of them because rehoming roos can be challenging and i can’t bring myself to make either one into soup because they each survived their different but equally traumatic childhoods and i feel a kinship with that kind of chutzpah.
I plan to keep this multiple coop set up so maybe that will help me hang on to both of my boys, as long as the neighbors are cool with egg bribes.
There are currently 17 hens for the two boys to share or split up as they see fit.

 

[McChooky]

I currently have one yard for the chickens but 2 coops within said yard and lots of space for them to escape each other’s company. So far, it has worked well for them. They are one flock during the day and can choose where to sleep as long as its inside. So far, i think the two boys (one cockerel and one teen aged roo) get along fine and they always sleep in separate coops. Not sure if this is an age thing or a broodmate thing (each coops up with their broodmates) or something else.
I am just trying to forstall or prevent having to rid myself of one of tUnfortunately roosterhem because rehoming roos can be challenging and i can’t bring myself to make either one into soup because they each survived their different but equally traumatic childhoods and i feel a kinship with that kind of chutzpah.
I plan to keep this multiple coop set up so maybe that will help me hang on to both of my boys, as long as the neighbors are cool with egg bribes.
There are currently 17 hens for the two boys to share or split up as they see fit.

Theres an old saying 'They'll get along until they don't'

 

[LtDanFan]

Theres an old saying 'They'll get along until they don't'

True true. Im hoping that day never comes but preparing for it when it does.

 

[KRack]

I currently have one yard for the chickens but 2 coops within said yard and lots of space for them to escape each other’s company. So far, it has worked well for them. They are one flock during the day and can choose where to sleep as long as its inside. So far, i think the two boys (one cockerel and one teen aged roo) get along fine and they always sleep in separate coops. Not sure if this is an age thing or a broodmate thing (each coops up with their broodmates) or something else.
I am just trying to forstall or prevent having to rid myself of one of them because rehoming roos can be challenging and i can’t bring myself to make either one into soup because they each survived their different but equally traumatic childhoods and i feel a kinship with that kind of chutzpah.
I plan to keep this multiple coop set up so maybe that will help me hang on to both of my boys, as long as the neighbors are cool with egg bribes.
There are currently 17 hens for the two boys to share or split up as they see fit.

Lots of people have great success keeping multiple roosters that free range and have enough space. Even some confined have lived well together for years and years. Our roosters got along fine once the leader was established, but the lower rooster wouldn’t stop going after humans even from great distances away, so he had to go. Too many littles around to be worried about him running out of the woods after them. So now we’re down to one very sweet and attentive rooster.

 

[LtDanFan]

Lots of people have great success keeping multiple roosters that free range and have enough space. Even some confined have lived well together for years and years. Our roosters got along fine once the leader was established, but the lower rooster wouldn’t stop going after humans even from great distances away, so he had to go. Too many littles around to be worried about him running out of the woods after them. So now we’re down to one very sweet and attentive rooster.

That makes me feel so much better. So far i am very impressed with russel and if sheldon (the mighty little man) follows his example, i will be thrilled. I dont have kids to worry about and they both seem equally resigned to my position as “head hen” lol. So far. Lets hope this continues . Perhaps if i ever have another roo i will name him “johnny B Goode” and hope that he’s good lol. Or perhaps i should re-name Sheldon since Russel already crows