Rooster to hen ratio

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Hey, ya'll. New to chickens and am just beginning the whole backyard setup. Coop will be here this week. I want to order chicks now, but am worried about winter coming on before they'll be grown/strong enough to weather the weather. Advice and suggestions are welcome. My main reason for this post is that I want a small setup and would like to get one rooster and two hens. However, I just read an article that said five hens to one rooster. Is this a bad idea?

It depends. You can get that ratio to start, but you might need to get more if they go bald, or if they seem stressed by breeding with the rooster.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Thanks, Glicks!! I’m glad you caught that question. I may go ahead with ordering now then. I’m waiting for coop to arrive so I can assess.

Of course! I wish you the best of luck!

 

[sourland]

Thanks, Mrs. K. I don't want to stress them, hens or rooster, so I'm back to planning 3 hens. Honestly, I would get just 2,

3 is always better than 2. That way when one dies, two remain as company for one another.

 

[Mrs. K]

I do hope you enjoy this, it is a wonderful hobby. Just want you to get started on the right foot.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum from Louisiana. Glad you joined.

If you modify your profile so your general location shows up that can help with a lot of questions. I understand a desire for privacy but something like North or South Alabama should not give too much away.

I want to order chicks now, but am worried about winter coming on before they'll be grown/strong enough to weather the weather.

Chicks develop pretty quickly. Typically they are feathered out by 4 to 5 weeks and can handle freezing temperatures. By 6 weeks maximum. You will probably need to provide heat for a few weeks (don't overheat them) but in Alabama they should easily handle your winters if you order them soon.

I just read an article that said five hens to one rooster. Is this a bad idea?

You can read different articles that say widely different things. Different members can have widely different opinions. In my opinion there are way too many variables with living animals to be able to believe any specific ratio or any other magic number is accurate for every chicken on the planet. Sometimes 1 boy and 2 girls works out great. Sometimes 1 boy and 20 girls does not. Some all-girl flocks have issues. I think your chances of having a more peaceful happy flock are much better with the 3 girls and no boys. I think that is a great way to go.

Chickens are social animals, they do better if there are more chickens around. If you only have two and one dies then you have a lonely chicken. If you have three and one dies they still have a buddy. I totally agree with Sourland.

I don't know what the coop you ordered looks like. In general I suggest you give them as much room as you reasonably can both in the coop and in the run. I find the more I crowd them the harder I have to work, the more behavioral issues I have to deal with, and the less flexibility I have to deal with things that come up. In Alabama they should be able to be outside pretty much all day every day and not be stuck inside the enclosed portion only due to snow or winter weather. That helps a lot.

Good luck!

 

[Cornercottagechickens]

I do hope you enjoy this, it is a wonderful hobby. Just want you to get started on the right foot.

I appreciate that, thank you! I have livestock and some poultry experience (turkeys were a gas ), but it’s been awhile since I’ve had any chickens.

 

[Cornercottagechickens]

Hi, welcome to the forum from Louisiana. Glad you joined.

If you modify your profile so your general location shows up that can help with a lot of questions. I understand a desire for privacy but something like North or South Alabama should not give too much away.


Chicks develop pretty quickly. Typically they are feathered out by 4 to 5 weeks and can handle freezing temperatures. By 6 weeks maximum. You will probably need to provide heat for a few weeks (don't overheat them) but in Alabama they should easily handle your winters if you order them soon.


You can read different articles that say widely different things. Different members can have widely different opinions. In my opinion there are way too many variables with living animals to be able to believe any specific ratio or any other magic number is accurate for every chicken on the planet. Sometimes 1 boy and 2 girls works out great. Sometimes 1 boy and 20 girls does not. Some all-girl flocks have issues. I think your chances of having a more peaceful happy flock are much better with the 3 girls and no boys. I think that is a great way to go.

Chickens are social animals, they do better if there are more chickens around. If you only have two and one dies then you have a lonely chicken. If you have three and one dies they still have a buddy. I totally agree with Sourland.

I don't know what the coop you ordered looks like. In general I suggest you give them as much room as you reasonably can both in the coop and in the run. I find the more I crowd them the harder I have to work, the more behavioral issues I have to deal with, and the less flexibility I have to deal with things that come up. In Alabama they should be able to be outside pretty much all day every day and not be stuck inside the enclosed portion only due to snow or winter weather. That helps a lot.

Good luck!

Thanks for this. I’ll update my profile. I just ordered my babies (everyone’s been so helpful). Grateful for all the good luck wishes.