I try to get down to 1 rooster for breeding so I know who the father is. There are several methods of breeding. Some people put a rooster in with a hen or two for breeding so they have a better idea of parentage. I move whatever cockerel I'm keeping to the pen to the left. I don't normally move hens. Helps with inbreeding.
I've never had luck putting adult roosters together that didn't grow up together and are friends. So any cockerel is moved around 14-16 weeks while they are still babies. A good portion of mine are still peeping at 14 weeks. I don't cull the previous rooster until the next spring.
Broly has another rooster in his pen because he doesn't breed hens. He's only in love with Ashes the rooster from the next pen. Broly will come to the defence of a yelling hen so he teaches young cockerels manners. If I make an old biddy pen, I'll just put Broly and Ashes in there with them. Those two boys are around 7 years old now and are pets.
I have 15 hens and a couple of younger pullets so that should be enough but it doesn't seem to be. I'm hoping my cockerel will calm down in another month or so coming into winter here. Biscuit is a gentleman and is a good rooster to teach the younger ones how to treat hens and people so I have kept him.
. Sometimes it just seems to happens, too.
