QUESTIONS ABOUT ROOSTERS...

[EggSTOREYdinary]

Here’s the new guy...

I acquired a little chick who I thought was a she’s but it turn so out it’s a he. I have 5 hens and 1 too already. Paul (my roo) still hasn’t crowed and is 10 months old (he’s also kinda small) he’s a Rhode Island Red which I’ve read are aggressive but he literally follows me around and loves to be held. He’s the sweetest boy! my question is there anyway for the two to live together eventually? They see each mother daily in separate pens- he dosent care much about him, but he’s still a baby...I’ve read everywhere that it’s a no and that I don’t have enough hens, but I always like to ask your opinions and hear other people’s first hand advice- thanks in advance!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

You would need to have more hens. Otherwise, they will just get all scraped up.

 

[EggSTOREYdinary]

You would need to have more hens. Otherwise, they will just get all scraped up.

How many hens is enough for 2

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

How many hens is enough for 2

The general rule would be about twenty. But, it all depends on the rooster. You might be okay to get a few more hens, and just watch. If you put the little guy in with the big guy, he most likely will keep him in place, and might not even let him mate. But if you notice the hens getting raw backs, you need more hens, or you need to get rid of one of the roosters.

 

[Pyxis]

It's totally possible for roosters to cohabitate. I almost always have more than one rooster. Right now, I have a cockerel that I kept from this year living with his father, and he did not grow up with the flock, I introduced him when he was about two months old. Also living with them are a bunch of broody raised cockerels that will either find new homes in the spring or get eaten. They all get along fine.

However, as was mentioned, if you intend to keep them both, you're going to need more hens.

 

[EggSTOREYdinary]

The general rule would be about twenty. But, it all depends on the rooster. You might be okay to get a few more hens, and just watch. If you put the little guy in with the big guy, he most likely will keep him in place, and might not even let him mate. But if you notice the hens getting raw backs, you need more hens, or you need to get rid of one of the roosters.

Thanks so much for the info, Paul my adult roo, is kinda then runt, the girls pick on him more than he doesn’t them! I’ve never seen him even try to mate... he’s very very shy I guess! My main concern would be the other roo hurting Paul. We are definite growing our flock (with hens) but 20 would be pushing it for me. As I have little less than an acre. But here’s hoping! I appreciate your response!

 

[EggSTOREYdinary]

It's totally possible for roosters to cohabitate. I almost always have more than one rooster. Right now, I have a cockerel that I kept from this year living with his father, and he did not grow up with the flock, I introduced him when he was about two months old. Also living with them are a bunch of broody raised cockerels that will either find new homes in the spring or get eaten. They all get along fine.

However, as was mentioned, if you intend to keep them both, you're going to need more hens.

THANKS I LOVE THEM BOTH AND WOULD LOVE TO get a cohabitation situation. I will try to add a few more ladies and see if they boys can be buddies

 

[Folly's place]

Sometimes it works well, and sometimes, especially in spring, things get out of hand. Then it's time to remove one of them, or set up two separate groups.
I have three cockbirds and one cockerel right now, with 37 hens and pullets. Three breeding groups when it's time to collect eggs, and the cockerel will likely have to leave then. He's 'insurance' for one of the cocks, so I won't need both of them for that group.
Space, multiple feed and water stations, more space, and then see how things work out.
Mary