roo to hen ratio

[littlemissjellyfish]

Is it possible? My Salmon Faverolle is already getting "her" comb at 3 weeks. My other 12 have barely a hint of a comb. Merely a bump. If she is a really a roo, ( I got extras from MPC) what is a good roo to hen ratio? I only wanted hens, but we've become attached.
Thanks!

 

[Cats Critters]

Normal 8 to 10 hens to roo but some can get by with less but some need more to avoid getting their backs torn up.

 

[SpringChickens]

The best thing about salmon faverolles is that you can sex them by color. If she's all brown, then she's a girl. If she gets black on her back/chest, then she's a boy.

 

[bigchicken2]

You can have a 1:5 ratio. Right now I have a 1:2 ratio! Don't worry about it! They might get bald backs but it's not THAT gross. Everyone should have roos. Ugh! Why does everyone LOVE hens and HATE roos!?

Any wise man who has had roos before will tell you to get roos.

I say so too!

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
I don't hate roos (anyhow, they taste good!) but I really don't like the chaos that comes from having too many of them. The hens don't just get bald backs they also live in a constent state of stress--as soon as one roo tries to mount a hen three more have to get in on the action. It's not like they start tugging on the mating roo either, they all grab onto the hen and try to use their grip on her to push the other roo off. Hens have also been seriously injured and even killed during these kind of matings. I'll always keep a few roos, but never again will I let the ratio get out of control. I sent four of the boys to freezer camp last week and was amazed at how peacefull the chicken yard became--the 15% increase in egg production was nice too.

ETA: I have a 1:10 ratio right now and won't ever go more then 1:8.

 

[littlemissjellyfish]

Quote:
My Salmon Faverolle chick's big girl feathers are pinky brown, but she definitely has areas of black on her. Definitely a roo then?



When do roo's start acting like...well... teenage boys? I can eat fertilized eggs, right? Just as long as I collect them daily? Anything else I should know about roos?

 

[ChickenChik]

You can definately eat fertile eggs. As long as they are not incubated they will never develop.

 

[SpringChickens]

Quote:
My Salmon Faverolle chick's big girl feathers are pinky brown, but she definitely has areas of black on her. Definitely a roo then?



When do roo's start acting like...well... teenage boys? I can eat fertilized eggs, right? Just as long as I collect them daily? Anything else I should know about roos?

Yep, sounds like a roo to me. But yes, you can absolutely eat fertilized eggs! You'll probably never know the difference. I wouldn't handle him too much growing up; the ones who are really comfortable around people are the ones who are more likely to be mean. I have two salmon faverolle roos and they are very, very sweet.