Four hens one rooster

[ChickieMomma21]

Back in March I got 6 chicks to replace the hens I lost to a fox. Out of those 6 chicks, 2 ended up being roosters (supposed to be female sexed.. ugh). One has been dispatched but that leaves me with 4 hens and 1 rooster. Are they going to be run ragged by this guy? I did choose the more docile of the two roosters so I’m hoping it will be ok but want to make sure the girls are taken care of. Any behaviors I need to keep an eye out for?

 

[sourland]

It all depends upon the size and temperament of the cockerel/rooster. I have maintained pairs and trios without abuse to the hens, and I have had roosters with multiple hens where the hens were overbred. Have a plan 'B' in mind in case he starts abusing the pullets.

 

[ChickieMomma21]

It all depends upon the size and temperament of the cockerel/rooster. I have maintained pairs and trios without abuse to the hens, and I have had roosters with multiple hens where the hens were overbred. Have a plan 'B' in mind in case he starts abusing the pullets.

That makes sense. Just want to make sure I’m not setting them up for immediate failure haha. I’ll keep an eye on them for sure.

 

[Shadrach]

I found a four to one and three to one the best arrangement. There are lots of reasons why this should work.
No matter how many hens a rooster has who will mate with him, he'll also have his favourite hens and he will mate with those more often. Some roosters I've known had two favourites, others three or four. It didn't matter usually how many females hatched in the next generation, the roosters favourites remained his favourites.
Not all roosters fit this model but the few serious breeders I know work with similar ratios.
So, it can work.
Under different circumstances one can count on senior hens and the senior rooster to "socialise" the cockerels.
It seems teenage problems are much the same with chickens as they are with other species. You could be looking at a few stressfull months while your cockerel goes through the teenage bit. It's a shame more don't make it because the owner won't or can't make allowances for it.

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on your space, A LOT. IMO - roosters need more space than hens. Or hens with roosters need more space.

So send a picture of your set up. If you are in a pre-fab situation, I would not keep this one. If you are in a shed like situation, then try it and see. Watch your girls, if they love him all is well.

Mrs K

 

[Shadrach]

A lot depends on your space, A LOT. IMO - roosters need more space than hens. Or hens with roosters need more space.

So send a picture of your set up. If you are in a pre-fab situation, I would not keep this one. If you are in a shed like situation, then try it and see. Watch your girls, if they love him all is well.

Mrs K

Yes, you're right. I should have mentioned that.

 

[ChickieMomma21]

A lot depends on your space, A LOT. IMO - roosters need more space than hens. Or hens with roosters need more space.

So send a picture of your set up. If you are in a pre-fab situation, I would not keep this one. If you are in a shed like situation, then try it and see. Watch your girls, if they love him all is well.

Mrs K

They share my shed with about 32 square feet (4x8) of space divided off for them. Outside in the run they have about 130 square feet (8x16) of fenced space. I let them out into the main yard most afternoons especially on the very hot days. So far they all seem to get along great but I know hormones can change that!

Note the inside picture is not new. Those are my old girls who are no longer with me the only change I’ve made is putting the nesting boxes on the back wall.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would definitely give this a try with that set up. Do know, that roosters are a crap shoot, and some turn out, and some don't, pretty much regardless what you do. However, over crowding makes it worse, but I don't see that in your set up.

Be ware if he puffs up when you come, sneaks behind you, crows insistently when you come to them. Jumps up on something to be taller, gives you the stink eye.

Things like bareback hens bother people more than hens. Watch your hens, if they love him, don't worry about it. If they are hiding from him, squawk, avoid him, stay in the coop, well then get rid of him.

Mrs K

 

[ChickieMomma21]

I would definitely give this a try with that set up. Do know, that roosters are a crap shoot, and some turn out, and some don't, pretty much regardless what you do. However, over crowding makes it worse, but I don't see that in your set up.

Be ware if he puffs up when you come, sneaks behind you, crows insistently when you come to them. Jumps up on something to be taller, gives you the stink eye.

Things like bareback hens bother people more than hens. Watch your hens, if they love him, don't worry about it. If they are hiding from him, squawk, avoid him, stay in the coop, well then get rid of him.

Mrs K

Thank you! This is very helpful information and gives me a little bit of hope that it may work out.