Keeping 2 cockerels...trouble?

[Katejc]

If my coop is 6x4=24 sf
24/4sf per chicken = 6?

And outdoor space 10x10=100
100/10sf per chicken = 10

 

[B-Goock]

One roo will always take the lead of who is the alpha. Any time either roo tries to mate with a hen they will disrupt or even fight each other.

I have two roos in the same run and its about 30'x50' (1500sqft) with 12 hens and they still run over and disrupt mating. No fights. Its more like a "whats going on here!"

 

[Katejc]

Thanks everyone, this is helpful. Since we are at 13 weeks it doesn't look like we have hit the rough patch yet. I will keep an eye on these guys over the next few critical weeks. I have plans to add 2 more hens (maybe bantams?). Maybe we will get lucky and just have a couple of super docile roos?

 

[ValerieJ]

Is this cubic feet for indoor coop size? Its 6 feet wide, 4 feet deep and 5 feet high. The run is 100 square feet because there is run space underneath the coop as well.

That is 24 sf. Enough room for 6 chickens. Your run is 100 sf, enough room for 10, but of course you can't really have 10 unless you add coop space.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am in a similar pickle. I have 2 cockerels with a total of 6 females (4 year old hens and 2 pullets - 7 months and 5 1/2 months). My boys (a Sebright and a Silkie) are both about 5 1/2 months old. So far, all has been fine. The boys are inseperable! The Sebright is DEFINITELY the alpha. But I am watching closely as the Silkie boy is coming of age.

I have 2 coops (32 sq ft for the 5 large breeds and 9 sq ft for the 3 bantams) and a 200+ sq ft run. They forage in the fenced part of our yard for 3 - 4 supervised hours every afternoon.

I do have a Plan B. I have a good friend who has a farm who said she would take one if things go south.

Since my boys are older than yours, I'll let you know what transpires.

 

[Folly's place]

A little sparring is fine, but no actual warfare! Roosters, the right ones, are wonderful to have in the flock.
Mary

 

[Aunt Angus]

And the 4sq ft of coop space is a good rule of thumb, but it's not a hard and fast requirement. I find that 32 sq ft is far more than I really need for my 5 big girls as they only sleep in it. I could have gone with a much smaller coop given my climate and the fact that my run is completely covered and keeps out the elements. In my climate, bigger consideration needs to be paid to run space. I think larger coops are more for climates where your birds will need to be confined for longer periods of time - like very cold, snowy, or wet winters.

 

[Katejc]

And the 4sq ft of coop space is a good rule of thumb, but it's not a hard and fast requirement. I find that 32 sq ft is far more than I really need for my 5 big girls as they only sleep in it. I could have gone with a much smaller coop given my climate and the fact that my run is completely covered and keeps out the elements. In my climate, bigger consideration needs to be paid to run space. I think larger coops are more for climates where your birds will need to be confined for longer periods of time - like very cold, snowy, or wet winters.

Thank you! Yes we have almost 2 acres and they will be able to free run when I am out in the yard which is a lot. The whole 100sf run is also covered so they still have decent outdoor space in the snow and rain.

Please keep me updated!

 

[ValerieJ]

And the 4sq ft of coop space is a good rule of thumb, but it's not a hard and fast requirement. I find that 32 sq ft is far more than I really need for my 5 big girls as they only sleep in it. I could have gone with a much smaller coop given my climate and the fact that my run is completely covered and keeps out the elements. In my climate, bigger consideration needs to be paid to run space. I think larger coops are more for climates where your birds will need to be confined for longer periods of time - like very cold, snowy, or wet winters.

They may fit in a smaller coop, but you would have pecking problems. It's not what we think is enough space, it's what the chickens need.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you! Yes we have almost 2 acres and they will be able to free run when I am out in the yard which is a lot. The whole 100sf run is also covered so they still have decent outdoor space in the snow and rain.

Please keep me updated!

Where are you located? You can add it to your profile. Where I am, the coldest it gets is in the low 40's F. Zero snow. Not a lot of rain, really, either. That's what makes the difference. I built a huge walk in coop. I could have gone so much smaller.... But not if I lived anywhere else, I think.