Opinions on my potential flock dynamics

[emileexepic]

I'm currently doing research for a new flock, I kept chickens throughout most of my childhood but it's certainly been a whole minute. I would like 8 chickens no more than 2 roos. I am thinking 3 EEs, at least one Dominique and one buff Orpington (for nostalgias sake they were my favorites as a child) then one more hen I haven't decided on what. (Maybe an olive egger, I like a colorful egg basket) anyway I my main question is actually about roosters.

I'm looking for recommendations on what boys will blend well with the girls I have listed. I live in a very rural and undeveloped area so predators are a concern. I also have small kids who will be helping with the care of the birds. I need a roo or two that will keep an eye on the girls as nature intended but won't run up one side of my boys and down the other when they help me feed or gather eggs. I've been googling for darn near 20 hours and maybe I'm just not using the right terms but I'm having a hard time finding info specifically on rooster behavior. So yeah, thanks for the attention and what are y'alls thoughts?

 

[All Ball]

Actually there was a front-page thread not too long ago - in last couple weeks maybe - about just this - someone asking for roo recommendations, they listed their hen breeds. I think the thoughts back for gentle roos included BO, favorelle, and a big breed - brahma maybe? with the caution that each individual may differ. Also a thought to wait til the girls are sexually mature and then get a local, mature roo who has a tested personality, given that roos are easy to get. Very important to make sure you get one that won't go after small kids.

 

[emileexepic]

Thank you for your response I will go look for that thread. Sorry for asking a repeat question

 

[Skipper81]

For a colorful egg basket you could add a golden comet sex link girl for some dark brown eggs in there lol
I have 5 roosters the 2 I trust all around are Australorp and I don't really pic them as favorite for looks but like I said they don't try fighting anyone there own hens pic on them a bit

 

[andreanar]

2 roos might be too much for just 5-6 hens. I would raise some girls and then get a mature roo.

 

[PirateGirl]

or marans or wellsummers for dark eggs

 

[lazy gardener]

For a flock of 8 girls, I recommend only one roo. IMO, breed is not your deciding factor regarding temperament. You will find aggressive roos of just about any breed. What are your flock priorities: Will you be hatching chicks? Incubator? Looking for a hen who will be broody? Will you ever process your older birds? What will be your exit plan for any cockerels you hatch? Do you expect high egg productivity? What is your general climate? (Many folks put their general location in their profile. It helps us to give climate appropriate advice) Will you be free ranging your birds some, all the time, never? Is your yard fenced in? How big a yard? Close neighbors? Some breeds do well with confinement, while others will go psycho if you try to keep them penned up. More info will help us to give appropriate advice.

 

[emileexepic]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I was hoping to hand raise the roo for a better temperament. It was also my justification for two of them thinking they could be buddies if I raised them together. (But I do understand that's not always how it works and I will reconsider that part) I'm located in central texas. I want lots of eggs but I also want chickens who will come when called and don't mind being picked up. Eventually I think we might hatch chicks but for the time being I just really like eggs haha

 

[emileexepic]

Oh and they would be primarily free range thanks again and I know breed doesn't guarantee a good roo but i know it's a good place to start so I was just looking for suggestions

 

[keesmom]

Often the most human aggressive males have been the ones hand raised and treated like pets.

The issue with 2 cockerels with only 5-6 pullets isn't whether or not they will get along. The problem is that in many cases 6 pullets aren't enough for one male let alone two. Your egg layers may end up so harassed by amorous (and potentially competing) males that they end up barebacked, or even unable to eat, drink and take a dust bath in peace. I just sent two 10 month old cockerels to the freezer because they kept ganging up on my mature hens. One on one they weren't a threat, but working together they were a constant pain in the butt. They'd take turns, one holding a hen down by her head while the other did his thing. Even a long stint on chicken jail did little to reform them.

Personally I do not rely on a rooster as protection for a flock. There's a lot they stand no chance against. You may even want to try a female only flock for now and add a mature male at a later date.