Not sure???

[DeerHeartRanch]

I really thought these were roosters- but I'm now questioning myself. Any input would help, please!

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[Sunshine0235]

The one outside is 100% rooster. The one inside looks like a rooster, but needs a full side shot to be sure

 

[donrae]

The bird front and center is a rooster.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

WELCOME TO BYC!!

Those look like roosters

 

[DeerHeartRanch]

how bout this one?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Rooster 100% The large comb and wattles plus the light coloring gives it away.

 

[DeerHeartRanch]

Thanks- guess I won't second guess myself.

 

[BantamLover21]

All of the birds pictured are roosters.

 

[DeerHeartRanch]

So today- is rooster butchering day. I'm excited - but not - at the same time. In our purchase of chicks this spring we ended up with 10 roosters & only 6 hens. The other day I purchased 11 more- for 17 total hens. How many roosters shud I keep just to keep the hens happily laying?

 

[donrae]

Just to keep hens laying happily? None.
I'd keep as few roosters as you need to meet your needs. What would your need be for keeping a rooster? Flock protection? One should do the trick there. Fertility for hatching eggs? One young rooster can easily cover that many hens. For absolute maximum fertility you could put two males in with that many females, but you don't really need to. Keeping the peace in the flock? Just one.

Some folks like to keep a back up rooster, if they're free ranging and using the male as alarm/protection. Not a bad idea if you're in a high-risk environment, that's easier than bringing in a new bird down the line.