To many rooster's

[up101]

I have a flock of 13 mixed chickens. I have 5 roosters out of the 13. Should I get rid of 4 of the roosters or will one become the dominant roo and the others fall in line ?

 

[cookfamilyfarm]

Hi up. Whew 5 is really to many. There will be a dominate one or two, and the others will probably be highly picked on. When it comes time for both the roosters and hens to be old enough to breed the hens will be rode a lot. There is nothing wrong with good fertilization, but the hens will become bare on their backs ( no feathers). So, I would probably keep 2 roosters. One rooster is plenty for 8 hens. That being said, it is my experience If one rooster comes up sick and dies, or is not fertile, or a predator attacks, it is always good to have a backup. Pick the two best roosters, then if possible put four hens with one rooster and then put the other rooster with the other four hens. Then is one rooster doesn't live or work out you can always merge all the hens together and the remaining rooster will still be able to take care of the 8 hens. If it isn't possible to separate the two roosters due to space then they will probably get along as well as brothers that grow up together do. But, with 8 hens the dominate rooster will rule. But, 5 is way to many for 8 hens.

 

[megan80568]

That's what I'm worried with. So far I have one positive roo in my flock of 7. 3 of the others came sexed already so I know They are pullets. The other 4 are silkies and I don't know gender yet. I suspect one is a roo, will that be okay? Would it help to free range more? They Have all grown up together since 3 or 4 weeks of age.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

You may have trouble with roosters fighting if you keep more than one rooster with such a small flock. Flocks seem to do best when there is at least 10 hens for each rooster. Even if your roosters get along, your hens will be stressed and over-mated.

 

[cookfamilyfarm]

Free ranging will be great for them so, there is less scuffles. I order chicks from hatcheries , but I also incubate. When I incubate I get about 50 % roosters 50% pullets. I let them grow up together until they are about 3 to 3 and half months old depending on the breeds. That's about when they start picking on each other more. I always keep more than just one rooster per breed that way if something happens to one rooster you will have a backup. Two brothers won't be to bad especially as you said when they grow up together. But, the dominate brother will probably be the one that does most of the breeding. The other brother will only breed if the dominate brother is occupied. I would just watch for feather loss due to fighting, because then the next step is pecking the skin. One rooster is plenty for 7 hens and even up to 12 Just think of keeping a backup though.

 

[bobbi-j]

You may have trouble with roosters fighting if you keep more than one rooster with such a small flock. Flocks seem to do best when there is at least 10 hens for each rooster. Even if your roosters get along, your hens will be stressed and over-mated.

x2 The others may "fall into line", but they will still always be looking for their chance to mate your hens, too. I would get rid of 4 of them.