Rooster: Hen Ratio Questions!

[modchicken]

I currently have an EE cockerel, BR pullet, Red Star Rooster, and a Black Star/BSL hen. Could I breed these? They all get along well? When it comes to mating will there still be to much stress? Overmating? The roosters are very sweet! Thanks guys!

 

[Habibs Hens]

one on one can be ok depending on your roos tempriment


ideally though 1 roo to half a dozen or so hens is good number as 1 roo mating 1 chicken can get too much as the roo wont think she needs a sperm topup he will think i need nookie and will mate her regardless

i have 15 to 1 at the moment with a few non mating roos in there that know main roo is boss so dont touch

they never crow let alone try to mate

 

[Pyxis]

Whoops, I just noticed you asked me this on the other thread I answered you in! Well, silverfox is right, half a dozen at least works well, with 10 being optimum to avoid your hens being injured. However, if you don't really have the space right now, I'd say play it by ear. See if your roosters are roughing your hens up with too much mating. If they don't, great! If they do, more hens are needed or, as hard as it may be, you might need to consider finding a new home for one of the roosters. Why don't you start by buying your girls some hen saddles? They protect their backs from the rooster while mating and can actually look quite cute! A member of this forum makes them and sells them. They're only $5 and they ship them for free! Here's the website: http://www.louisescountrycloset.com

That'll help prevent a problem before it begins, if you'd like to try to stay with just the birds you have Good luck!