Raising a mixed flock with a rooster

[sagehound]

To chickens, a chicken is a chicken. They don't have a clue what a breed is. Breed is totally a manmade thing. If your question is whether or not a rooster will mate hens of different breeds, the answer is absolutely yes. Will they mate mixed breed hens, absolutely yes. If you have two different roosters of different breeds will they mate only with hens of their breed, not at all. They don't know what breed is.

My suggestion is to look at all your goals when deciding which rooster to get. I'm totally happy with mixed breeds. To some people them being purebred is important. That's your personal decision.

Some of us are of the opinion that a rooster doesn't add any real protection. Others think it is essential. Some people have a flock of nothing but hens that free range and are perfectly happy, they don't want a rooster around. Others would not dream of having a flock without a rooster. It's personal opinion, do what you want in this regard. But for fertile eggs, you have to have a rooster.

Can you have more than one rooster? Maybe. Some of that depends on how much room you have (the more the better) and some depends on the personality of the individual roosters. If you have more than one rooster they will determine which is boss. Sometimes that means a fight to the death but usually they reach an accommodation. They will often each claim a certain territory (this is one reason why more room is better) and each gets his own harem. You basically have two separate flocks. And those flocks will not be split by breed but more on the individual personalities of the chickens. And you might get a group of hens that doesn't hang with any rooster. And you may find that a hen in one harem is fertilized by the other rooster. They can be quite sneaky about that.

You don't get guarantees with any living animals and behaviors, chickens or anything else. There are too many variables in individual personalities and the conditions they are kept for anyone to tell you what will happen. Many people keep multiple roosters and don't have any problems at all. Some people have problems. I don't know which category you will fall in. There is only one way to find out.

There is no set number of how many hens a rooster can keep fertile. Some roosters keep more than 20 hens fertile, some can manage no more than a few. Young active roosters are usually better able to handle a lot of hens.

Yes you probably are overthinking it a bit but that's better than not thinking at all. I strongly encourage you to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one not asked.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I can't help you with that. In general, a red or buff rooster will be better if you want to have a multicolored flock. Black or white roosters tend to have black or white chicks. Red or buff is more likely to let the colors of the hens show through in the chicks. I like buff myself, it can do weird things to other colors but red is even more neutral.

Roosters contribute as much (and in one certain gene) maybe even more than the hen toward egg shell color. If you get a rooster from a breed that lays blue or green eggs your pullets will all lay blue or green eggs, at least in the first generation. They may be different shades of green but you might want to approach a variety of egg color more through your choice of hens unless you want all blue or greed eggs.[/QUO

Welcome! I think it's an excellent idea to start with birds of several breeds! Use Henderson's breed chart, and other sources, like the hatchery catalogs, to pick breed types that look interesting, and go for it.
Over the years I've had many birds of many breeds; it's fun! Some that looked great 'on paper' weren't so great here, and some that looked marginal have become favorites.
A mixed flock of hens will likely molt at different times, so it's more likely that there will be eggs most of the time. Right now my Easter Eggers are molting, so no green eggs for a while. Other birds are filling in for them.
Having a variety of egg colors won't maximize egg production, because those birds aren't going to lay seven eggs per week, but again, it's more interesting.
I've always had roosters, BUT as a new chicken owner, it's low priority. Manage your flock the first year, and add some cockerels the second year. you will be more comfortable, and your hens will help to raise them up right!
Mary

Thank you! I think that is an excellent idea....having my hens for at least a year before adding any roosters. Takes a bit of the pressure off as well.

 

[song of joy]

Thank you! I think that is an excellent idea....having my hens for at least a year before adding any roosters. Takes a bit of the pressure off as well.

I concur. Start with a flock of hens (or pullet chicks) first. It's less pressure and gives you a chance to learn what works and what doesn't with regard to management.

Personally, I prefer that males enter the flock as hen-raised chicks in a multi-generational flock. This isn't as complex as it seems. With an assortment of 9 breeds, you may end up with a broody hen. Obtain some fertile eggs of the breed(s) you like and set them under her to see what hatches out. The males will be raised by the hen and in the process learn about flock dynamics, as they will have to work their way up the pecking order. Generally, the cockerels are not handled by people much when they are hen-raised, and they tend to respect people (although this varies a lot by breed and individual). Carefully observe the cockerels as they mature to determine which one or two would be the best mannered for your flock. Temperament is one of the most important things to assess, as it impacts flock dynamics and interactions with people.

Mixed-breed chicks can be the hardiest in the flock, as they tend to inherit the best from both parents. They also tend to be my best layers.

 

[Folly's place]

You may find yourself with a cockerel or two by accident, and then see how it goes; otherwise, get pullets this first year, and straight run chicks the second year, to make that rooster selection. Mary

 

[sagehound]

Thank you!!!

 

[Mrs. K]

You certainly can have mutts, no chicken police to come and get you, and right now, my only layer is laying an egg a day, on short days, no added light is a mutt.

But first - some chickens are not real long lived, say 3-4 years, second - roosters are cheap and easy to come by. So by judicially picking the eggs you set, and every so often replacing your rooster, well -you should do fine.

Birds come and go in a flock, it is the flock you keep.

Mrs K