Three cockerels, five pullets

[Catmoose1347]

It's not a dumb question at all. You are correct. When the juvenile cockerels begin to mature they are driven out. That isn't a death sentence, they can forage for themselves just fine though there are fewer eyes out for predators. Eventually after they mature they may challenge the dominant males, and win or not. Humans often pen in flocks which creates an unnaturally small territory so it isn't possible to have many males.

If you really are interested in chicken behavior you should check out some of centrarchid's posts. He has games kept in a natural setting. He has some very interesting threads on their behavior, including one on the interaction of cockerels and the mature flocks. He has one on a cock bird nesting with his hen and offspring too.

Here is one you may want to read.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/662108/rooster-hen-interactions

Thanks for the link! It was very informative.