New to here

[cockadoodlewho]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature and their hormones kick in, too many roosters (or in your case too few hens) will become very hard physically on your hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. The only reason you really need a rooster is to fertilize eggs for hatching and 1 rooster can easily handle 10-15 hens in this regard. If you haven't done so already, definitely check out our Learning Center at https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center. There is loads of useful information there. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

. My hens seem to pick on my roster is that normal?

 

[MinnesotaNice]

Welcome! You'll find a wealth of information here! I have one Rooster for my 8 hens although I'd like to add a few more hens. I think it'll make him happier and the hens will be much more happier as well. I think the ratios given above are pretty spot on. Happy hens = happy layers!

. My hens seem to pick on my roster is that normal?

I saw this from my hens when the flock was younger and Joe the Rooster was smaller. Once he grew in size and displayed his, ummmm, dominance all was well.

 

[Michael OShay]

. My hens seem to pick on my roster is that normal?

It's not uncommon for cockerels to be bullied by hens while they are still immature. However, as your cockerel matures and his hormones kick in, he will begin to "feel his oats" and take over the flock. ) At that point you just need to make sure that you have enough hens him to spread out his aggressions on.

 

[Frindizzle]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[cockadoodlewho]

It's not uncommon for cockerels to be bullied by hens while they are still immature. However, as your cockerel matures and his hormones kick in, he will begin to "feel his oats" and take over the flock. ) At that point you just need to make sure that you have enough hens him to spread out his aggressions on.

OK one more question and I'll try not to bother you lol im not good with sq feet so how big of a coop and run for 10 hens one rooster? I am going to rebuild this weekend

 

[Michael OShay]

OK one more question and I'll try not to bother you lol im not good with sq feet so how big of a coop and run for 10 hens one rooster? I am going to rebuild this weekend

The minimum recommended area is 4 sq. ft. per bird of floor area (not counting the space taken up by the nesting boxes) for the coop and 10 sq. ft. per bird of ground area for the run so for 10 hens and 1 rooster (11 birds total) you will need a coop with at least 44 sq. ft. of floor area and a run with at least 110 sq. ft. of ground area. These are minimums; more is even better as overcrowding can quickly lead to aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, and even cannibalism. Plus if your coop is bigger than you need, you have some additional space for adding more birds later should you decide you want to do so. )