Two roosters, two hens

[keesmom]

I'm not particularly interested in having roos. Somewhere I got the idea that I needed at least one for protection. ;~0

Then don't keep any. Besides, in my experience the protection a rooster can provide is very limited. They are helpless at night, and there's only so much they can stand against during the day. They aren't going to stop foxes, coyotes, dogs, fishers, and so on.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes you can get different kinds of chickens, getting similar sized birds is best. But if you can only get younger birds, there are tricks to make it go all right.

How big is your coop? People sometimes think they can cheat if the run and out doors is bigger, but in my opinion, the coop size is the limiting factor.

Good luck.

 

[Nolagurl1956]

My coop is small. I’ll send a photo tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[llombardo]

in early spring I purchased four Wyandottes from a breeder in Bogalusa. Unfortunately two are roosters which of course will not work since I only have two hens. What to do? I know I have to give away or sell one of the roosters. How do I do that? It’s a shame as I’ve become attached to all four birds and it seems to me that the breeder should have known what he was selling me. I’m sure it is a roll of the dice but the chicks were 2-3 months old and at the time I received the birds, I View attachment 1463617 View attachment 1463618 pretty much picked out who was going to be a cockerel vs a hen...

How old are they now?

 

[Nolagurl1956]

I purchased the chicks on April 23 and the breeder told me they were 2-3 months old.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have a small coop, do strongly consider culling both roosters.

Roosters can help protect, but it is in fields and pastures, not backyards. Roosters and the hens with them need more room. A few equal size hens can get along in a smaller set up, but again not too small. Less birds is better.

 

[Alexander2000]

1 rooster is for 6-10 Hens.

 

[aart]

1 rooster is for 6-10 Hens.

You forgot already...that there is no real numbers?

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.

It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.

Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc

It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[Nolagurl1956]

If you have a small coop, do strongly consider culling both roosters.

Roosters can help protect, but it is in fields and pastures, not backyards. Roosters and the hens with them need more room. A few equal size hens can get along in a smaller set up, but again not too small. Less birds is better.

Ok. Yesterday i posted the availability of the one rooster and so far no response. Will keep trying. Thanks

 

[Alexander2000]

You forgot already...that there is no real numbers?

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.

It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.

Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc

It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

Wha I’m just making telling facts