Would it be impossible....

[boochaces]

...to keep two roosters and seven hens?

or three roosters and six hens?

i don;t know how this works yet!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

It wouldn't be impossible, but there is a very good chance your hens would suffer for it. The usual recommended ratio is 12 hens to 1 roo. Too many roosters with too few hens can cause all sorts of problems like bald backs and heads, injuries from the roos spurs (which usually come after they've worn the hens back feathers off), drop in egg production. I've even heard of roosters running in packs and gang raping hens to death (eek!). Of course there all always exceptions. For example, your roosters may turn out to be surprisingly gentle. Or maybe your alpha roo will be superb and do an excellent job of keeping your hens safe. You could always make a bachelor pad for your extra boys. Roosters do well living together if they don't have any girls to fight over. Good luck!

 

[boochaces]

i appreciate the response!!
ahhhh... so nervous about the sex of my little ones!

 

[RileyB]

I am totally in the same boat. I have eleven chickens and three ducks. They're all still pretty young, but I know for sure I have at least two roosters and one drake. I fear I have two more roosters that are slow to mature (those two are a mixed breed so they could either be bantams or their smaller stature could be because that group definitely has a dominant male). I've raised them all since they were babies and I don't want to get rid of any of them. I'm praying the little two don't end up being roos and I'm also hoping my one unknown duck will not be another drake. I don't want to get rid of any of them!

I know most of the time this kind of ratio will not work out. But...it is nice to hear from people who have had this kind of thing work out so I know there's hope!

 

[boochaces]

I am totally in the same boat. I have eleven chickens and three ducks. They're all still pretty young, but I know for sure I have at least two roosters and one drake. I fear I have two more roosters that are slow to mature (those two are a mixed breed so they could either be bantams or their smaller stature could be because that group definitely has a dominant male). I've raised them all since they were babies and I don't want to get rid of any of them. I'm praying the little two don't end up being roos and I'm also hoping my one unknown duck will not be another drake. I don't want to get rid of any of them!

I know most of the time this kind of ratio will not work out. But...it is nice to hear from people who have had this kind of thing work out so I know there's hope!

i agree! always hope!

 

[Mrs. K]

I really think your flock would be better without any roos, than with too many roos. 1 roo should have at least 7-12 hens. Wishing they would all get along and be nice, is not going to make it happen and the combinations you have mentioned will have a low rate of success and a high rate of bloody battles, often to death, and ragged hens.

I have found, for myself, knowing that I need to get rid of some months ahead of time, allows me to distance myself. In the future, buy sex linked chicks, so that you only get pullets, if culling is hard for you.

MrsK

 

[RileyB]

I really think your flock would be better without any roos, than with too many roos. 1 roo should have at least 7-12 hens. Wishing they would all get along and be nice, is not going to make it happen and the combinations you have mentioned will have a low rate of success and a high rate of bloody battles, often to death, and ragged hens.

I have found, for myself, knowing that I need to get rid of some months ahead of time, allows me to distance myself. In the future, buy sex linked chicks, so that you only get pullets, if culling is hard for you.

MrsK

What about having a separate rooster pen for the extra guys? Will they try to mate with my hens if they're all free ranging in the same yard?