I have a flock of about 12 hens and 4 roosters. We've only ever had one roo but 3 cockerels hatched last spring and have started getting amorous. This seems to stress out our main man and the girls don't seem to like them much either.
We planned to cull all 3 new roos. But, we just ordered a batch of 19 dual-purpose pullets. My goal is that they brood fertile eggs and we can use them for both eggs and the young for meat. Now I'm thinking... 1 main rooster for 30+ hens is not feasible at all.
I'm now considering keeping my biggest "new roo". The other two were rescued babies and too small for what I want anyway. My question is - is there a point where my main roo will accept the new guy and let him mate?? Will harmony eventually be restored? Right now the new guy tries desperately to mate but no one will let him. Not only does this stress everyone out but I don't think our main guy is servicing as many now, because he's always so worried about the new one...
We planned to cull all 3 new roos. But, we just ordered a batch of 19 dual-purpose pullets. My goal is that they brood fertile eggs and we can use them for both eggs and the young for meat. Now I'm thinking... 1 main rooster for 30+ hens is not feasible at all.
I'm now considering keeping my biggest "new roo". The other two were rescued babies and too small for what I want anyway. My question is - is there a point where my main roo will accept the new guy and let him mate?? Will harmony eventually be restored? Right now the new guy tries desperately to mate but no one will let him. Not only does this stress everyone out but I don't think our main guy is servicing as many now, because he's always so worried about the new one...