Multiple roos in w/Hens

[ametauss]

I have 6 hens and 5 roosters....

4 hens have been getting, for lack of a better work, gang raped....

Two or three of the roosters go after 1 hen and all take turns mating her... . The poor little dear seems sooo overwhelmed by the attention....

Should I cull the extra roosters?? Is this really a problem??

 

[Wynette]

Yes, it's a problem; I recommend getting rid of all but one roo. Your hens/pullets will soon be bare backed if you do not, and the roos will probably begin fighting. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Southernbelle]

Awwww, poor girls. Doesn't sound like they get any peace.

The general consensus is 1 roo for up to 10 hens. It all depends on the dynamics of your group. Right now, I have 3 roos in with 20 hens, but only 1 roo is boss, so the other 2 are just frustrated.

Come spring I'm going to seperate the breeds so each roo has his own girls and I can sell hatching eggs.

If your boys are ganging up on the girls and are causing problems now, I don't think it's going to get better with time. If you are willing to cull the extra roos, that may be the simplest way to solve your problem.

 

[ametauss]

I'll have to convince hubby to give up his "hen" purchases that turned out to be roos...

Thanks for the info

 

[courtshep]

Yes! I have this same problem. I have 5 bantam roosters and 4 full size roosters and 9 hens. It is a mad-house out there! Not until they started laying last week had there been any "action", and now I feel really bad for the poor hens. No Peace! Is it worth it to butcher bantam roosters? Is there enough meat?