when can I expect my hens to start laying? Can I keep 2 roosters and 3 hens all together?

[5th lake chick]

my hens are all 14 weeks old, 1 buff orpinton and 2 cochin bantams. When should I open up the nesting boxes? Also my 5 hens turned into 3 hens and 2 roosters 1 bamtam and 1 buff. Can I keep 2 roosters, my coop+run is not that big only enough space for 5.
Advice please.

 

[SarniaTricia]

Hey, 5th Lake chick,
I have 6 chickens that were hatched together and have always stayed together... 2 roos 4 hens and I have not ever had an issue between the boys and they are 22 weeks old now.
Remember, each chicken has it's own personality, so keep an eye on your boys.. you may need to rehome one... or both if they start to over mate your girls...

I would open the nest boxes soon... are the boys doing the cluck cluck "here is the food girls" thing or the shuffling tight to the ground soft cluck thing yet? Are your girls squatting when you pet them?
Both are clues they are within a month of needing the nest boxes.

They will go in and practise and move the bedding around alot during the month before laying... isn't it fun!
Good luck
Patricia

 

[5th lake chick]

Thanks for the reply. I'll start looking for the signs. Had no idea what to look for. How do your chickens winter?, I see you are from Canada, I'm Nothern WisconsinIt. is sooo much fun, They are not much work so far for all the enjoyment ! I'm getting excited about eggs. My Buff rooster is getting kinda of bold with me when I handfeed them their bread treat each night. He has grabbed the other Buff on the neck and held her down and grabbed one of the bantams head feathers this week. I have a hunch his boy hormones are coming in. He is getting really handsome .

 

[PotatoChicken]

Well, I have 20 chickens with 2 roosters and they are definitly over mated. My 2 cents is that it could be dangerous for the hens and the roosters (they could fight over the hens and kill each other, thats why fighting @#!*% are so visous- there fighting over a hen in a cage!).Sorry, cant tell you much about the hens laying exept that it varys by breed. I know that some bantams lay (mature) very early. Hope this helps!

-Potato

P.S.

 

[SarniaTricia]

yup, definitely boy hormones...
Every bird is different...

I had 4 other boys from the same hatch that are just awful... they will breed anything and everyone, so they have been isolated to the bachelor pen with a separate run. (Let's just say they were breeding the other boy roosters and trying for the cats too! They might have tried for me, but I am in the predator realm for them. I terrify them. LOL)

Just keep an eye on the boys and your girls... it is really important that he not hurt them (they can do that easy, accidentally) or YOU... he may start thinking of you as one of his hens...or as a predator ... or as a competing rooster.

You may have a tough decision ahead of you... getting rid of one or both of your boys... get emotionally prepared now.
Good luck
Patricia

ps. I have found a new home for one of the boys, just so I do not end up with an issue.