Let's Talk Roosters

[ArborChicks]

I would love some further education about roosters. So here are some questions that would help me plan for making flock decisions.

1. Can Bantam Roos breed Standard hens? Or can I assume my Standard hen eggs will be infertile?

2. I'm gonna guess up and say I have 5 roos out of 8 bantam chicks. When will they start driving the girls nuts? (Will say born March 19th)

3. I really want the roosters to help with bug control this summer, but want happy healthy birds foremost so wondering how people who buy straight run choose to manage them best.

Thanks!

 

[Angeline1978]

To many roosters in the hen house is always a problem. Bantams can breed standards. Anything's possible. I have many roosters that run with my hens that are not my show birds. It just comes down to personality. If I have one or two that CONSTANTLY cause problems, they get culled. Hope this helps.

 

[ArborChicks]

Constant problems are a definite no-go here. Temperament will be one of the first qualifiers for a longer life.

Does coop size influence the hen/roo ratio? Or is is just simply the number of hens?

 

[featherhead007]

To many roosters in the hen house is always a problem. Bantams can breed standards. Anything's possible. I have many roosters that run with my hens that are not my show birds. It just comes down to personality. If I have one or two that CONSTANTLY cause problems, they get culled. Hope this helps.

I'm a rooster, and I seem to be in trouble all the time! I cause trouble, but I'm just having a bad hair day! Don't hate me.

 

[ArborChicks]

 

[ArborChicks]

When does "sexual maturity" hit in bantams? I seem to hit anywere from 4-6 months according to good old google?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Does coop size influence the hen/roo ratio? Or is is just simply the number of hens?

Coop size limits your total number of chickens. But with more room hens can get away from roosters (sorta) you should aim for 1 rooster to 10 hens (or more). I have 2 roosters with about 40 hens in my main flock and almost all my eggs are fertilized. My breeding hens have it rougher because I have to keep the ratio lower. I give them hen saddles to lessen the wear and tear on them.

 

[Angeline1978]

Well that's about right. It often varies too. I have a 20' x 30' outdoor run I can move around for just the layers. I have 8 hens and 3 roosters. They also have another 10' x 20' mini barn.

 

[Angeline1978]

My roosters are an old show Orpington, a pheonix, and a bantam. They have a pecking order, no pun intended. Hens have their own areas they can get too.