Will 4 hens with 2 roosters work out if one rooster is a tiny bantam?

[plumpybum]

I have 6 chicks at 6 weeks old and I'm almost certain 2 of them are roosters - 1 barred rock and 1 bantam. The BR rooster seems to take charge when I let them run around the yard. The bantam roo likes to puff up and act tough in the brooder some times but he's a little baby and follows the others around outside. They all get along really well so far, no pecking or fighting at all really, and they all cuddle up together to sleep at night. Do you think I will eventually have problems with this ratio of 4 hens and 2 roosters? Or will the big guy just dominate and keep a clear pecking order in check?

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would get more girls if possible. The boys might get along, but they'll over mate the girls.

 

[plumpybum]

I would get more girls if possible. The boys might get along, but they'll over mate the girls.

I think that is the plan but not until next spring. Are there any health issues with over mating or is it just going to be an annoyance to the girls?

 

[nuthatched]

Well, the girls backs are going to be raw with just one rooster, and I'd think the big rooster might kill the little one.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I think that is the plan but not until next spring. Are there any health issues with over mating or is it just going to be an annoyance to the girls?

The girl's feathers will get broken and torn out. I would put hen saddles on all of them to protect them.
If you're getting more girls next spring, I think these 4 girls will be okay until then. Just keep an eye on them.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I'd think the big rooster might kill the little one.

Not necessarily. I have an EE rooster and a cochin bantam rooster living together. They grew up together, so the pecking order was established before the EE was big enough to injure the cochin. They don't fight at all anymore.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

The bantam rooster should not over-mate four standard sized hens. However, the standard rooster might over-mate them, with or without the bantam.

 

[Chicalina]

In my experience, one rooster could be fine with 4 hens but it depends on the rooster. If the girls are big, the bantam may not manage to mate them at all, or they may just not let him.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Lets not forget that the males may end up fighting.....that won't go well for the bantam.

 

[Chicalina]

If they have grown up together they may not fight. Its a wait and see situation. And depends hugely on the temperament of the individual birds, the space they have etc.

Options are to wait and see how it pans out.

Get some more pullets or hens.

Or separate the two roosters into a bachelor flock when they mature.