Keeping roosters together

[BreezyBre]

I've got 3 roosters and 11 hens. But 2 of the roosters are bantams, a Serama who gets his butt kicked by everyone, and a Porcelain D'Uccles rooster who is pretty aggressive, not to his girls but to the cats, us, and anything he sees as a threat. He even attacked our German Shepherd, my hand, and runs after me as if to tell me to stay away from his girls. He used to be really skittish, but now he's so full of testosterone he's gone nuts. If he was full size it might be an issue but since he's small I think it's funny.
. Then there is a Silkie rooster, but he's pretty much worthless besides mating a couple of his favorite girls and screaming when anything goes flying through the air. I really like roosters and miss my gorgeous EE rooster Ricky. He was the best

I have a couple Roo's now a silkie that's a few months old and a younger but bigger Lavendar Orpington roo . I was worried about how they will get along but the silkie seems scared of his shadow most days lol He tried to peck one of the ladies and she was very whatever then he never did it again lol I'm really hoping I can keep him he's an endless source of entertainment that one silly ,cute and he loves to just sit with me on my lap .

 

[Mraya]

I have 2 groups,
Silkies 3 roos 8 hens they did not grow up together the roosters get along and the hens are fine.
Standards 2 roos, 8 hens (working on getting more hens) Roosters did not grow up together they work together as a team. I'll let them out to free range and when a hen is laying in the hen house 1 rooster stays behind and the other will stay with the hens that are out. Roosters are Buff Orpington and Barred Rock. Both will take treats from my hand but never at the same time. My BR is head rooster the BO is second in command.

 

[Phaedra Winters]

If they grow up together, it should be fine because they'll have established a pecking order prior to hormones by growing up together. I would be lenient in the first few months of them when the hormones kick in because there might be small skirmishes, but as long as neither is seriously injured it shouldn't be a problem. But to the hens, that ratio may or may not work, it's different with all flocks. The main thing is watching the hens and making sure they're okay. But you're off to a good start by the fact you have two roosters that are breeds known to have gentle/sweet roos and because you're trying to catch the problem early. Good luck!

 

[Beer can]

I've had giants and sussex together, four roosters grew up together with I think it was eight hens.
There was no over breeding cause the biggest dominate roo chased them off, and they didn't fight so no injuries or lost feathers on the roos either.
Once in awhile one of the other roos would get 'lucky' but not often. It's a lot of work for the main roo though, I eventually separated them into two groups and then later kept just the big giant and his hens, got rid of the sussex and gave my brother the extra giant rooster.
Doubt it would work in all situations but you never know.

 

[m1chelle1]

What breed are your roosters? Some breeds are more easy-going than others. Right now, I have 2 Orpington cockerels around 9 months old with a free range flock of around 14 hens, plus 3 "teenage" Orpington cockerels (maybe 3 months old?) that I'm growing out with the free range to decide which ones to keep as back-ups. All the boys get along fine. The older cockerels decided a while ago which one was the head of the flock but they both breed the hens and crow and have a generally chicken-y good time.

Conversely, we have an all-rooster flock in our sheep pasture, including "charity case" bantams, breeding stock grow-outs, and ones we intend for butchering. Even though it's an all male flock and the free range hens don't go up there, we had a LOT of problems with several of the roosters, mostly Olive Eggers, who spent their entire day attacking and "mating" the smaller or subordinate roosters. The mean roosters recently got sent to "freezer camp" and the remaining seven roosters get along perfectly politely with each other.

So I think it depends on breed, roaming space, and individual personalities.

x2.
this is the best answer ive seen. depends on the breed and the individual personalities, very much so. I don't like when other say, 'no don't do it' right off of the bat, because its just not great advice. you will have to see how well they do together when they get older, and how ragged (or not) your girls are getting. You will be able to see how it goes. Trust your instincts

good luck! boys are wonderful

-M

 

[Table4Six]

Never crowed...how old is he?

He's around 6-8 months old. Yesterday morning I went out to the coop and thought there was a parrot was in there, lol. It was my silkie rooster; he was crowing for the first time. I wonder if he heard me talking about how immature he was.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I like my roosters especially since I free range my birds. Your boys may be fine, but you will have to see how they act as teens and adults. I try to keep a few extra for the breeds I keep. But if they are human or bird aggressive, they go, period. For me removing any aggressive ones have paid off, my home grown fellas are good boys. I have hatched for 5 years now and just don't get problem boys anymore.

 

[starrmar006]

It's generally a bad idea to keep 2 roosters together once breeding age hits. I've never personally done it, but I've heard that each rooster needs at least 10-12 hens. With you having only 8 hens, there will most likely be fights breaking out between the two.

I'd look into re-homing one of them sooner rather than later. That would be the best option for everyone.

What if you have 1 rooster and 7 cockerels and 20 hens can you keep them together until they are fat enough to eat?

 

[Robert G]

I have two roosters and 10 hens. One rooster is a white phoenix and the other is an old english speckled bantam. They get along fine. They both just turned one year old.

 

[CheekyChickenLady]

The barred rock might not be a cockerel. The hens tend to have comb and waddle too.