Rooster to Hen Ratios...Please look! I need advice.

[WRVgirl]

How many Hens should you have per Rooster, to make sure the flock is completely covered?

I have 7 Hens and wanted to know if 2 Roosters is enough, too many, not enough?

I've got no idea how it works...and I'm still pretty new to all of this.

I definitely have one Rooster right now. A big, pretty splash. He's not aggressive, and seems not to realize that he's in charge. The Cochin hen still manages all the babies...even though the Roo is bigger than she is. I want friendly Roosters, because mean Roosters will end up in my belly.

But I want to have enough time to handle and pick the right boys for my flock [the babies are 6 weeks old now so I have plenty of time]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Fred's Hens]

If your present rooster is healthy and active, he'll have no problem covering 7 hens. Adding another rooster with only 7 hens would simply create problems.

 

[WRVgirl]

If your present rooster is healthy and active, he'll have no problem covering 7 hens. Adding another rooster with only 7 hens would simply create problems.

Thank you.

 

[WRVgirl]

But if I start adding more hens [which I'm sure will happen in the spring!]

At what size/number of hens, would I have to add a second Roo.

I'll be selling hatching eggs and want to ensure that I don't sell any duds.

 

[Smoochie]

I would double the hens for another rooster.. Or buy two more roosters and keep them in their own pen. Come breeding time put them each with a couple hens in separate breeding pens. I would probably just keep a young cockerel from next season as adult roosters rarely get along.

 

[WRVgirl]

I would double the hens for another rooster.. Or buy two more roosters and keep them in their own pen. Come breeding time put them each with a couple hens in separate breeding pens. I would probably just keep a young cockerel from next season as adult roosters rarely get along.

Oh good! My husband is chomping at the bit to eat one of those chickens...but I just don't have the heart. I love those chickens like they are family.

 

[WRVgirl]

Maybe next season I'll give him a rooster