Beginner Breeder - Help!

[EnnieM]

I’m trying to get a rough breeding program outline down on paper for up to 10 breeding groups. I’d love to hear your feedback!
((note: this is a hobby, but one I’d like to take further in the future.)

1. What is the smallest number of hens you’d put into the breeding pen with a rooster?
2. With access to individual outdoor runs, how many square feet per bird in the breeding pen?
3. Do your pens have walls to prevent the roosters from seeing eachother?
4. Outside of “breeding season”, how do you house your hens and roosters? Together? Separate pens - same coop? Different coops?

Any other advice/information welcome for a beginner! Thank you!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

1. What is the smallest number of hens you’d put into the breeding pen with a rooster?
I know many breeders that keep a trio...one rooster with 2 hens. I would not go higher than 6 hens if you want to ensure fertility. The general rule of thumb for 10 hens is to prevent overbreeding, but the rooster still has his favorites, and fertility is not always achieved in every hen.

2. With access to individual outdoor runs, how many square feet per bird in the breeding pen?
I'm not sure the difference between pen and run. I have open access to coop and run. I keep with the 2sq feet in coop (erring on 3 sq ft) with 10 sq feet recommended for out door per bird. For short breeding periods, you can have a smaller run.

3. Do your pens have walls to prevent the roosters from seeing each other?
No. It helps with re-integration with the hens if the hens can see each other. I find it helps keep down on the rooster tussle if they can see each other in the fence. But I don't have aggressive roosters. Some game roosters have to be out of sight.

4. Outside of “breeding season”, how do you house your hens and roosters? Together? Separate pens - same coop? Different coops?
I like to breed olive eggers from a Barnevelder line (my brown) and a Cream Legbar line (my blue). I keep 2 separate coops and 2 separate runs as I have 2 roosters (One Barnie, one CL line). If I want an olive egger, I place appropriate hen with the appropriate rooster. I have a fence between the two runs where all birds can see each other, and bird netting above the runs to prevent fly overs (my main problem...some hen is constantly trying to get to the other side).

Just what I do. I am strictly a hobbyist and not doing this for money.

It's just what works for me.

LofMc