Too many roos?

[ozarkhen]

I have 3 roos and 9 hens. Dominis and RIR. Often times, I see the other two roosters jump on top of the rooster mating! My roos are beautiful. Big red combs, one domi and 2 RIRs. Yes, I want advice!

 

[DAFox]

Hi Ozarkhen.

to BYC.
Yes, you have too many roos. Knocking roos off hens is normal roo behavior. One roo can cover 9 hens and the hens will be better off.
Dale-Ann

 

[rcentner]

that is tough, I have 4 roos and 19 hens. The standards and bantams are separated which seems to make it easier. If you are looking for fertile eggs you won't get too many when the roos knock eachother off. I have found that if you take the roos and separate them with the hens you would like them to be with then putting them back together goes better. This way they all have thier own flocks and don't intermingle too much. But that's what worked for me, i think it depends on your roos attitudes.

definatley get more hens or get rid of some roos. A lot of folks say a 1 roo to 10 hen ratio is ideal, but I find that a 1 to 6 ratio works very well. (I am working on getting back to that ratio). Some roos will never get along with another and some are very tolerant of having a "brother". I had to get rid of my favorite roo cause he would not tolerate any other roo's and I had to decide on getting rid off all roos except him or just him.

I still miss him, but order has been restored and I once again have 2 happy flocks with no fighting.

Are they young roos? Mine seem to get better as they age with that sort of thing, but each roo has their own personality. I maybe got lucky with some real nice roos.

I wish you luck with your roos and hope you can get it sorted out.

 

[ozarkhen]

My roos are young. Born in March '10. This is tough! My domi is the most aggressive. I'll have to commit one or two to the freezer. They are all so pretty.....

 

[dsqard]

If you are going to breed and hatch chicks keep the nicest one(s). You want the gentleness to be passed down. IMO

 

[Pequena Bandada]

Yes, sorry to say - but that's too many roos for the number of hens you have. Too many roos will run the hens ragged. A better ratio is somewhere between 1 to 6 and 1 to 10. With 9 hens, I'd keep only one roo.

 

[cjdmashley]

thought this might be a good place to ask my question...are 2 roo's good for 15 hens?

 

[gryeyes]

I have 5 in a flock of 24. *sigh* One main Rooster, and 4 little bantam cockerels. The fourth just started crowing and chasing girls this morning. Yesterday there was NO sign other than his comb and wattles, today he's in that frenzied "gotta get some!" mode.

Nobody fights. The dominant rooster is Carl, an EE. Then there is Alex and George, two Silver Sebright roos. They're a terror - they tag team the pullets and hens, and it doesn't matter if it's the largest girl or not. Then there's Charlie, a bantam Buff Brahma, and he is actually a gentleman - he dances for the girls and will not mount any which do not squat for him.

The newest fella is Nugget, a really cute bantam cochin. His first crows are still at the single syllable stage but his eyes are wild and those feathered feet are fluffing their way around after any passing pullet.

I know there are too many of 'em. I just cannot bring myself to get rid of any. And since there's no fighting or bloodshed amongst the boys, I haven't yet felt the need to get a move on towards rehoming any of 'em.

 

[ninjascrub69]

i have the same amount of roos and hens, and i have no problems.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

If you have enough room, you can build them (the extra boys) their own place.


I have three Roos who live in one of my horse pastures. They do not have any hens, but can see hens and my other roos/cockerels. They will be a year in October, and hardly ever bicker.