Rooster hen ratio?

[blueclip]

Hi--

I currently have a flock of 10 (7 pullets and 3 cockerels) the cockerels are 1 month and one week old. I was wondering if 7 hens will be enough for the three of them or should I get rid of two? Thanks!

 

[ralph a]

I would say 3 would be to many. Plus hens with to many roaster do not lay as well

 

[donrae]

You should get rid of two.

 

[bobbi-j]

You should get rid of two.

x2

 

[blueclip]

Btw, the cockerels are Dominiques. Are dominique roosters nice or mean?

 

[junebuggena]

If they are hatchery chicks, there is no telling what their temperaments will be like. If they are from a good breeder, they will probably not be too obnoxious.

 

[blueclip]

Interesting...I got them from a breeder he said their bloodwork was fine as he had "just gotten the results" a few days befofe I bought them. Anyways, I saw their father (who is massive lol) and I asked the guy whether or not he was nice and he said "sometimes" even though he's had him since he was a chick. I don't know what this translates to as I don't know if this guy is a reputable breeder or not.

 

[junebuggena]

A good breeder understands that aggression tends to be inherited. Aggressive roosters should not be bred. From a showing standpoint, it makes taking him to shows difficult if he's constantly trying to attack everything and everyone. From an everyday chicken owner standpoint, nobody wants to live with the constant stress of possible attack every time you need to do basic chicken keeping chores. An aggressive rooster can make something as simple as changing the food and water a battle. A rooster doesn't need to be sit in your lap and cuddle friendly, but he does need to be respectful of humans and their space.

 

[Mrs. K]

Truthfully, if you have a breeder close by, I would get rid of all of the roosters. IMO you get the worst roosters when you raise them as flock mates. They get bigger faster than the pullets, mature earlier than the pullets, and often become bullies. Roosters raised with older hens, get some manners thumped into them. Get some experience with just hens for a year or so. Let your hens grow up a bit before being run ragged by a juvenile rooster.

People always have extr roosters, you can get one next year.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I agree with Mrs. K....
....get rid of all the cockerels, even 1 for 7 may be too many with juveniles, especially if you are not ready to deal with possible aggression.

Of course my opinion may be biased due to having just been nipped on the hand by a cockerel while watering this morning...
......just confirmed my plans to marry him with noodles this weekend.