Rooster count

[C Siena]

We have 10 hens, 1 roo in a coop and the other is 9 hens, 1 roo, 13 pullets and 3 cockerels, age 20 wks & 17 wks, all cockerels are 17 wks. One cockerel has tried to mount a couple of pullets, but they yell and the senior runs over and cockerel runs away. Great senior roo. A teaching moment

I'm thinking of keeping one of the cockerels, which would make a total of 3 males and 32 females. I will watch to see how things go. The cockerels were raised in the coop with Jr roo, who is 15 months old. 2 of the cockerels are probably the progeny of Senior roo (Buckeye).

If you keep more than 2 cockerels, watch them and their behavior.

 

[Vicker]

I've had various breeds and flock numbers over the years, with all the free-range space they want. The individual roosters and the flock at the time tell me when multiples are too much. Years ago, I had a flock of 28 Sumatra with 3 roosters that did fine. They respected the top rooster and coexisted smoothly. On the other hand, I recently had 2 roosters to 18 hens in a mixed flock that did okay for a year and a half, but Rooster 2 became so randy that he was chasing the girls all day. His mild-mannered father was even getting stressed. The flock is so much more peaceful now, so I know culling was the right decision. Funny thing, one of my Australorps fluffed up and pretended to be a mama hen whenever she saw him coming. He fell for it because there were 2 real mamas that looked just like her. When he passed her by, she settled her feathers back down and went on her way.