I tend to use smaller ratios with my birds, but I don't think 6 hens is too many for an active roo. I know Turbos use 10-12 hens/roo. I don't have 12 hens of my Wyandottes (at least not til next year!!!!!), so I've never tried it.
You can also put a cock bird in with 6 hens for 3-4 days, then move him to the next pen for 3-4 days and then back to the first pen for 3-4 days. I think you could even add a third pen of 6. A chicken can store semen effectively for 7-10 days, so if she is exposed to a rooster more than once a week, that is plenty. Or if you want better coverage you can split the groups up into smaller groups and move him every 2 days, etc. Also, by doing that, you can single mate, which means you know exactly both parents. That can allow you to make strides very quickly.
You can also put a cock bird in with 6 hens for 3-4 days, then move him to the next pen for 3-4 days and then back to the first pen for 3-4 days. I think you could even add a third pen of 6. A chicken can store semen effectively for 7-10 days, so if she is exposed to a rooster more than once a week, that is plenty. Or if you want better coverage you can split the groups up into smaller groups and move him every 2 days, etc. Also, by doing that, you can single mate, which means you know exactly both parents. That can allow you to make strides very quickly.
