Silkie hen to roo ratio

[KellyReed]

I have 3 new Silkies and I know you can't sex them really until they start laying or crowing but that knowledge aside, I have 3 two week old silkie chicks. Since the start, one is totally different than the other 2. He is more vocal, more feisty and in charge, he is bigger and stands tall. His comb is much more pronounced even at this age...if I were a betting girl, I'd bet roo.
I want to know if it does work out like that will that configuration be ok? 2 hens and a roo? I only wanted to start with a few, just as pets. I'm worried I might have to track down silkie pullets come spring...(

its the white one)

 

[ShellyBlanco]

At this stage, I can't tell if you have males or females, but ratio of 1 roo to 2 hens is great. You can actually have a few more hens for him. My White Bearded Silkie Roo is topping at least 5 of my RIR hens right now and loving it.

 

[ChickenLeg]

you can mate a few or as many on one rooster. Just make sure he doesnt over mate and hurt the hens backs. With sickies Ive never had an issue mating just 1 or 2 hens on 1 roo.

 

[L1sa]

If that is your ratio, that's amazing! I have 4 chicks at the moment 3 x Silkies and 1 Lavender Araucana, all 5 weeks old and I reckon I have 3 Roos and 1 hen!

 

[Shadrach]

I have 3 new Silkies and I know you can't sex them really until they start laying or crowing but that knowledge aside, I have 3 two week old silkie chicks. Since the start, one is totally different than the other 2. He is more vocal, more feisty and in charge, he is bigger and stands tall. His comb is much more pronounced even at this age...if I were a betting girl, I'd bet roo.
I want to know if it does work out like that will that configuration be ok? 2 hens and a roo? I only wanted to start with a few, just as pets. I'm worried I might have to track down silkie pullets come spring...(View attachment 1571213 its the white one)

I’ve found that one rooster to three or four hens works very well.
I’ve had times when there has been a hen shortage for a particular group and a rooster had just two hens. While this was fine most of the time, when one of the two hens went broody and sat, the rooster actively went looking for more hens. Here, when they have three hens the roosters don’t actively look for more.
I think in your current circumstances one rooster with two hens should be fine.

 

[chuckachucka]

If it is a roo and two hens it all depends on the personalities of the birds. Some roos are very aggressive with mating and will damage the hens feathers and injure the hens even if they have several. They will often have one or two favourites that they go to more often and do more damage to though. Some roos however are very gentle and can be kept with only one hen. So keep an eye on him as he matures and if the girls are getting pestered you can try to get more.

 

[KellyReed]

I’ve found that one rooster to three or four hens works very well.
I’ve had times when there has been a hen shortage for a particular group and a rooster had just two hens. While this was fine most of the time, when one of the two hens went broody and sat, the rooster actively went looking for more hens. Here, when they have three hens the roosters don’t actively look for more.
I think in your current circumstances one rooster with two hens should be fine.

Thank you! I'm new at this and I just want what's best for them.

 

[FishMtFarm]

Your ratio is fine. Silkies are pretty chill. I have a pen with 8 hens and 9 Roos and everyone co exists beautifully. The key is to having a lot of room.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Good luck with your silkies! I loved you picture!

 

[KellyReed]

Your ratio is fine. Silkies are pretty chill. I have a pen with 8 hens and 9 Roos and everyone co exists beautifully. The key is to having a lot of room.

Thank you! They definately have allot of room!