Speaking of Roosters

[BigBlueHen53]

So my older flock consists of 8 hens and 2 roos. The older roo is the sire of the younger. Mike has so asserted his lordship over the flock that Silverwings hangs out by himself and virtually never attempts to mount the hens. The hens all hang out with Master Mike and Silver is invisible to them. The roos don't fight, Silver is just a lone, lonely bachelor.

I have allowed this to continue because we have 18 eight-week old pullets coming up and I think there will be enough girls for two roos and everybody will be happy. Mike is about 5 years old and can't manage what, 26 hens? @Mrs. K, do you foresee problems between the two roos when I integrate the two flocks in a couple of months? Should I put Silver in with the younger hens first so he can establish himself as their rooster, before putting them all together? If so, how soon can I do that? I know 8 weeks is too young. Thanks!. Oh ... Silver is coming one year old and seems a right gent.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As long as both roosters currently get along I would not separate them. Integrate the chicks and wait to see how it goes.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

1:10 cock to hen is the ratio I used and there wasn't any adverse wear and tear on my ladies. I was breeding them to sell so I wanted to make sure everyone was getting serviced, and it might have been overkill, but my boys got along great and each knew his place. There was one single instance where the dominant one got challenged. I got most of it on video and saved it somewhere. The whole thing took maybe 5 minutes, if that, before the lesser quit and the dominant roo held his position. I believe in having a strong rooster that will defend his flock without being a bully, but that was also Australorps which are a gentle breed, so your results may not be the same but so far it sounds like they are getting along fine and you should have enough ladies to go around.

 

[aart]

Should I put Silver in with the younger hens first so he can establish himself as their rooster, before putting them all together? If so, how soon can I do that? I know 8 weeks is too young. Thanks!. Oh ... Silver is coming one year old and seems a right gent.

That would be interesting.....would be a good test for Silver to see if he's savvy to immature females. Of course this would need some serious supervision.
Hard to say how this would affect things when all the birds are together.
Are 8wo's in a spacious coop/run so they can get away if needed?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not split the roosters, they have a short memory, and when you reintroduce them, the fight could very well be on. With the older one being 5 years old, I think his days are naturally numbered as the master rooster, but one never knows.

However, I like to add my chicks much younger to the flock, so I would be getting them into the set up asap in a safety zone, and let themselves work themselves into the flock. I have never really had problems with a mature rooster that had older hens available bother younger birds. It is almost like they can't see them until their combs red up. And both of your roosters would be considered mature

I do think that as the chicks come into lay, the younger rooster may become more aggressive, or he may be the sergeant out on the edge even with more hens. Most roosters will sneak a bit if they can get away with it, and with more hens, they can get away with it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with Old Hen and Mrs. K, integrate them as normal and let the flock work it out as much as you can. No one can guarantee you what will happen since you are dealing with living animals but I find I usually get less drama if I let them work it out instead of me trying to micromanage them. The more I interfere the more problems I cause.

You need to observe since you don't know what will happen, hopefully it goes so well you won't feel the need to interfere.