Should I keep him?

[Feeleychick]

Hello everyone and hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We’ve lost a few hens to various predators and it was time for a few new hens. We have 6 total at the moment. Ends up one of the hens is an Amerucana Rooster. So 5 hens to 1 rooster. So far it’s going pretty well, but I’m not gonna be able to add any more hens to the flock until spring. What are your thoughts? I do have a friend who is willing to take the rooster if the ratio is not going to be sufficient in the meantime. But so far the rooster (white) has been wonderful.

 

[sourland]

It may work out fine. I'd keep him while maintaining the option of rehoming if necessary.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

Ratios of roosters to chickens aren't written in stone and are dependent upon the rooster(s).

He may go through a hormone phase where you think he's not going to work out. If that happens, sometimes separation for a few weeks/months is necessary. We have many roosters who were tyrants in their younger months, but are now angels.

We're glad you're here!

 

[CCsGarden]

Welcome to BYC! I think you should be fine keeping him.

 

[triciayoung]

Welcome. You will probably be fine and every flock needs a rooster. You may want to make a secure run so that you do not keep losing hens to predators. You can make it really big to get the best of both worlds. Having a rooster doesn't really protect the hens, it just make him the first to be harmed.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and a very belated welcome to BYC! Nice to meet you.

I would certainly give him a chance. Things will definitely change in the spring when the hormones start flowing but you could temporarily separate him from the others until he calms down. He is not an Ameraucana but in Easter Egger. That's not taking anything away from his beauty!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[N F C]

Hi, give him a chance, that 1 to 5 ratio may work out for your flock. Thanks for joining!