Rooster with hens

[Owen_Blandford]

we have 1 rooster and 4 hens. do you need to separate the rooster from the hens? and put him in his own coop and give him a hen or two. or do you keep him with them? I am in need of some advice

 

[sourland]

Why would you want to separate him with one or two hens? 4 may not be enough for him. It all depends on the rooster. If he is overmating the hens, it may be necessary to separate him from all of the hens.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Only if they're being terrorize by him

 

[Owen_Blandford]

Why would you want to separate him with one or two hens? 4 may not be enough for him. It all depends on the rooster. If he is overmating the hens, it may be necessary to separate him from all of the hens.

that makes sense thank you

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

The standard recommendation of 1 rooster to 8-12 hens -- depending on breed and age of the rooster -- is about fertility.

Some roosters are fine with only a pair of hens. Others create feather-wear on 15 birds.

It's not necessary to separate them unless you have a specific reason. Fertile eggs are perfectly fine to eat.