Real world experiences with rooster to hen ratios 18 to 2?

[Mrs. K]

very lucky, the predators would wipe me out.

 

[AshVau22]

Space is really a key factor when keeping more than one roo. Right now I have 3 boys to 40 some hens. I plan to add 2 more boys in the spring and more pullets. They have an acre fenced in yard. Everyone has there own area they tended to hang in. I have another 2 acres I plan to fence in over time. They all roost together fine in the coop. They do get into little spats once in awhile but they have plenty of space to run away from each other.

 

[Echelontheory101]

Space is really a key factor when keeping more than one roo. Right now I have 3 boys to 40 some hens. I plan to add 2 more boys in the spring and more pullets. They have an acre fenced in yard. Everyone has there own area they tended to hang in. I have another 2 acres I plan to fence in over time. They all roost together fine in the coop. They do get into little spats once in awhile but they have plenty of space to run away from each other.

Thanks! I have 6 acres and they have 128 square feet of floor space in the coop and over 200 square feet of run space so other than needing to add one more roost bar for roost space I think space wise I'm good. Based on all the replies in here, my plan is to raise all 3 boys and see who is the best gentleman as they mature and he'll get the flock. If 2 end up really great I'll try 2 and just keep an eye to see how it goes. Hopefully all 3 dont turn out to be complete a-holes

 

[AshVau22]

Thanks! I have 6 acres and they have 128 square feet of floor space in the coop and over 200 square feet of run space so other than needing to add one more roost bar for roost space I think space wise I'm good. Based on all the replies in here, my plan is to raise all 3 boys and see who is the best gentleman as they mature and he'll get the flock. If 2 end up really great I'll try 2 and just keep an eye to see how it goes. Hopefully all 3 dont turn out to be complete a-holes

I love my Ameraucanas. My head roo is a Barnevelder, second in command is my Blue Ameraucana third is Black Ameraucana. My little boys are only about 2 months old Ermine Ameraucana and Salmon Faverolle so they haven't found there place in the ranks yet.

 

[Echelontheory101]

I love my Ameraucanas. My head roo is a Barnevelder, second in command is my Blue Ameraucana third is Black Ameraucana. My little boys are only about 2 months old Ermine Ameraucana and Salmon Faverolle so they haven't found there place in the ranks yet.

Yes! I have 4 blue splash ameraucanas in this group and I do love them! And I love the way the blue splash roosters look too so thats what im going with next summer. I also have barred olive eggers, marans, exchequer leghorn, lavender easter eggers and cream legbar. My leghorn seems to like me the most but theyre all really friendly so far!

 

[SamLockwood]

It depends on a variety of factors: breed, space, free ranging versus keeping them cooped up, etc.

I've had three roosters for 20 hens for several years without any major problems, but they also free range daily and I've got more than one coop.

 

[Perris]

very lucky, the predators would wipe me out.

what predators live in your area?

 

[Echelontheory101]

It depends on a variety of factors: breed, space, free ranging versus keeping them cooped up, etc.

I've had three roosters for 20 hens for several years without any major problems, but they also free range daily and I've got more than one coop.

Thanks!

 

[Mrs. K]

what predators live in your area?

Coyotes, raccoons, bald eagles, golden eagles, red tail hawks, bobcats, and an occasional mountain lion.

I have good brush, but the bobcats and coyotes will hide in that. I have a dog, but he is a cattle dog, and out numbered.

I really don’t need 20-30 hens, after years I have a set up that is pretty tight. If I let them out to regularly I start getting picked off, or a couple of times nearly wiped out.

We all give advice from our own situation.

Mrs K

 

[Perris]

Coyotes, raccoons, bald eagles, golden eagles, red tail hawks, bobcats, and an occasional mountain lion.

I have good brush, but the bobcats and coyotes will hide in that. I have a dog, but he is a cattle dog, and out numbered.

I really don’t need 20-30 hens, after years I have a set up that is pretty tight. If I let them out to regularly I start getting picked off, or a couple of times nearly wiped out.

We all give advice from our own situation.

Mrs K

that's not so different from the predators red jungle fowl have to deal with - leopards, mammals like mustelids, rodents and stray dogs, reptiles e.g. snakes, and assorted aerial predators.

There are foxes, birds of prey and occasional bad dogs here too, though they are all less challenging than what you have to deal with. But I really think it is having multiple roos that deter attacks here. There is safety in numbers, especially if some of those numbers advertise that they are up for a fight with any would-be predator. A nearby pheasant shoot has apparently come to the same conclusion, and now has some roos in with their pheasants.