Will one roo with aprox 25 hens be alright?

[MVchickens]

Just curious because that is what the situation is going to be in early summer. Any comments appreciated.

 

[wsdareme]

If you want all your eggs to be fertile, you'll need another rooster.

I currently have one rooster to 21 hens, and I just had only 2 out of 7 Black Copper Marans eggs hatch. The other 5 were infertile. I think the poor guy just can't keep up with 21 hens! The girls have no problem with it, however.

 

[Missymac]

MVchickens,

Sorry for Hijacking your post, but I had the same(well almost the same) question. Mine was how many Roos per hen should you have?

 

[wsdareme]

A good ratio is one rooster to every 10-12 hens.

 

[gryeyes]

If you are looking to breed and hatch chicks, 1 roo per 10-12 hens is optimum for fertility. However, there are a lot of flocks (not mine!) with close to 100 hens and only one rooster. And it's not at all unusual to find flocks with 25, 30 hens ruled by one rooster.

 

[wsdareme]

Quote:
Could you imagine the poor guy trying to stay on top of 100 hens? (Sorry, no pun intended.)

 

[Cass]

He'll be in chicky heaven. Not sure how many fertile eggs you'll get, but he will be FIIIIIIIIIIIIINE...LOL

 

[OregonChickenGal]

Yea...for once the rooster will be worn out...instead of the hens!