Maximum rooster to hen ratio?

[The Moonshiner]

New to the rooster game. We had 3 hatch last spring. I currently have 6:1 ratio and the alpha is bullying my beta to the point of being scared to come out of the coop. no injuries yet, I've locked up the aggressor. Should I do more for the time being or keep the alpha locked up? We have had predators near by recently and he's helped my flock every time. Confused NEW rooster mom. Any advice helps!

Are you saying you have 6 roosters and 1 hen?

 

[Mrs. K]

New to the rooster game. We had 3 hatch last spring. I currently have 6:1 ratio and the alpha is bullying my beta to the point of being scared to come out of the coop

Wait - are you punishing your top rooster? The rooster that is managing your flock, helping with predator awareness? Not how I would do this. I would cull the victim rooster. They are trying to tell you that these two roosters will not work in your set up. You can re home the victim cockerel, sometimes, that will bring out the best, but often times they are just not a real great rooster. The best rooster should be the breeding, flock master rooster. Some of these roosters will tolerate a fringe rooster, but some will not.

Having multiple roosters can also cause a lot of tension in the laying flock too. If you have a huge space such as pasture, not a back yard, and you have 25-30 head, then 2-3 roosters.

If you only have these roosters, because you feel guilty about not letting them live, even when they are not fitting into your flock, then don't hatch anymore chicks. If you are going to have a successful multi-generational flock that is peaceful, you have to cull the birds that are not working.

As you are finding out, roosters do take experience, but do know that even very experienced flock owners, struggle with picking roosters and making culls for the best of their flock, but it really needs to be done.