New chicken owner help with rooster/hen ratio

[Dvalland]

Long story short I am new to chickens and hatched my first batch the beginning of April. I hatched 6 total, 3 of which are silkies and the other are bcm, frizzle mix, and olive egger mix. The 3 big guys are all rooster and unfortunately it’s looking like at least 1 if not more of the silkies are also roosters. So fast forward I purchased 14 sexed chicks to go along with the 6 I hatched, which should give me 14-16 hens and 4-6 roosters (depending on which way the 2 silkies go). We will have a large coop and run (more than 4 sq ft per bird in run) and they will get free range time when supervised since we have coyote, hawks, etc. So now my question is...is it possible to keep the 4-6 roosters since they hatched together and have been raised together? I am at my limit with 20 total so adding more than the current 14-16 hens isn’t an option. I am prepared to rehome or more likely freezer camp any roosters that are aggressive, I have a young son and have kids around so aggression won’t fly. I just would really like to give them all a chance.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

It may be able to work, especially with not all of the roosters being large fowl, but make sure to have a backup plan. You could also separate all the roosters into their own rooster-only flock.

 

[aart]

more than 4 sq ft per bird in run

The common rule of thumb for space is 4sqft in coop and 10sqft in run.
That's bare minimum, IME.
Especially if you live in a harsh winter climate.

So now my question is...is it possible to keep the 4-6 roosters since they hatched together and have been raised together?

Being raised together is no guarantee they will 'get along'.
Males will likely fight.... and compete, which is hard on the females.

I am prepared to rehome or more likely freezer camp any roosters that are aggressive, I have a young son and have kids around so aggression won’t fly. I just would really like to give them all a chance.

One of the hardest decisions for new keepers.
Multiple males are a crap shoot, especially when free ranged with little kids around.
Best to put the extras in the freezer, IMO.
Unless you have a specific reason for keeping more than one.

 

[Dvalland]

The common rule of thumb for space is 4sqft in coop and 10sqft in run.
That's bare minimum, IME.
Especially if you live in a harsh winter climate.


Being raised together is no guarantee they will 'get along'.
Males will likely fight.... and compete, which is hard on the females.


One of the hardest decisions for new keepers.
Multiple males are a crap shoot, especially when free ranged with little kids around.
Best to put the extras in the freezer, IMO.
Unless you have a specific reason for keeping more than one.

Oh thank you for the info! I guess maybe we need to rethink our coop and run situation..we are in the process of building it now. We were going to have an 8x10 coop (converted shed) and a 17 x 6 ft run but sounds like that’s too small for 20 chickens. Both will be tall so is there anyway to utilize the overhead space?

 

[mgharris30]

Oh thank you for the info! I guess maybe we need to rethink our coop and run situation..we are in the process of building it now. We were going to have an 8x10 coop (converted shed) and a 17 x 6 ft run but sounds like that’s too small for 20 chickens. Both will be tall so is there anyway to utilize the overhead space?

I’m just responding so I can follow this post. Nee to chickens and this is a good question!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Echoing @aart. I meet the minimums (plus) for the house, well exceed with the runs, and free range 10-12 hours a day on acres. I keep my *mature* Rooster/hen ratio at 1:10 or less. (My early findings are that young Roos can successfully cover more than 10 girls with acceptable fertility rates)

Recommend freezer camp given what I infer to be space constraints. I understand rooster flocks can work "the bachelor barn", but I have no experience with it and get plenty of old hens for sausage/stew - would rather put "young guns" under the broiler or baked.

Your run has about 100 sq ft - the minimum recommend in average conditions for 10 birds. Its also narrow. An aggressive bird, rooster or dominant hen, can use that narrowness to control the whole space. That's not a guarantee of behavior problems, but it does increase the chances that if behavior problems arise, injuries are a possibility. When (if) you expand the run, recommend adding width before length.

 

[aart]

Oh thank you for the info! I guess maybe we need to rethink our coop and run situation..we are in the process of building it now. We were going to have an 8x10 coop (converted shed) and a 17 x 6 ft run but sounds like that’s too small for 20 chickens. Both will be tall so is there anyway to utilize the overhead space?

Just how tall is tall, in feet?
The tall in the coop is good for ventilation.
Tall in the run is good for the keeper to work in there without ducking or banging the noggin.

Here's my thoughts on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Dvalland
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Dvalland]

Echoing @aart. I meet the minimums (plus) for the house, well exceed with the runs, and free range 10-12 hours a day on acres. I keep my *mature* Rooster/hen ratio at 1:10 or less. (My early findings are that young Roos can successfully cover more than 10 girls with acceptable fertility rates)

Recommend freezer camp given what I infer to be space constraints. I understand rooster flocks can work "the bachelor barn", but I have no experience with it and get plenty of old hens for sausage/stew - would rather put "young guns" under the broiler or baked.

Your run has about 100 sq ft - the minimum recommend in average conditions for 10 birds. Its also narrow. An aggressive bird, rooster or dominant hen, can use that narrowness to control the whole space. That's not a guarantee of behavior problems, but it does increase the chances that if behavior problems arise, injuries are a possibility. When (if) you expand the run, recommend adding width before length.

In addition to the run I have 10 acres of pasture so they have space to free range. Maybe I could let some out during the day and keep my favorites in the coop. I don’t want to risk loosing my friendliest hens to a hawk or anything else. Would separating some be an issue?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

In addition to the run I have 10 acres of pasture so they have space to free range. Maybe I could let some out during the day and keep my favorites in the coop. I don’t want to risk loosing my friendliest hens to a hawk or anything else. Would separating some be an issue?

No. I actually maintain multiple houses and runs. KEEPING them separated is more the issue. Mine won't go over a 4' fence, but they will land on a 4' gate, then hop to the other side... and some of my smaller birds will hop into the upper part of the fence (its graduated woven wire farm fencing) then wiggle thru.

Obviously, I am much more tolerant of predator risk than most. A few predator losses are budgeted into my breeding plan, actually.

Good luck in your chicken journey!

 

[LaFleche]

3 of which are silkies and the other are bcm, frizzle mix,

I would not recommend to free range Silkies, Frizzles, Polish and the like. And even less with hawks, coyotes etc. lurking, as these breeds are handicapped by their special breed traits:

• Fluff or frizzle instead of normal feathers impede flying to safety
• 5th toes and overgrown feet feathers impede fast running to safety
• Overgrown crests and head fluff as well as muffs impede proper vision, so predators will not be noticed in time

The list goes on...