Is two roos one too many for 13 hens??

Date sort Score sort
I'm leaning toward it being one too many, but time will tell. Just last month, my #2 rooster made the decision for me after 1-1/2 years with 19 hens. His hormones took over and just created too much stress for the flock. It really can depend on the roosters. Sometimes the behavior of even a single rooster can stress the girls.
 
Vicker said:
I'm leaning toward it being one too many, but time will tell. Just last month, my #2 rooster made the decision for me after 1-1/2 years with 19 hens. His hormones took over and just created too much stress for the flock. It really can depend on the roosters. Sometimes the behavior of even a single rooster can stress the girls.
Click to expand...
And what worked very well changes and no longer works. Chicken flocks change even if there have been no changes. Always solve for peace in the flock.
 
My answer will likely not be popular, but my flock of 9 has split in to two. My lead roo has 3 hens, and my other roo has 4. They don’t all travel together when they free range, but they sleep together. No signs of over mating, and they’re so good with their ladies. Always calling them when they find yummy things, following them and waiting when they lay eggs, and gentle with mating and never forceful. If I’d ever see they needed more hens, I’d get them some, but due to predator attacks over the last year that’s where we’re at and it’s been going well!

Edited to add I agree rooster temperament matters a ton! I’ve had other roosters that couldn’t have had 8 hens and been ok because they would have over mated and created stress.
 
Mrs. K said:
KRack - how old are your birds? My theory on multiple roosters is enjoy them when they are darlings, solve when they are not.
Click to expand...
They’re about 30 weeks or so. I think the fact that they split in to two flicks and free range at all times has helped their dynamic. I don’t have a ton of experience with roosters, but the ones I had that we culled were mostly hard and seemingly full of teenage hormones around 15-20 weeks. These two definitely fought hard for dominance around that time frame (drew blood), but once it was established it was accepted. It’s been smooth sailing since, and I’m praying that continues. But I’m not a stranger to hard decisions either.
 
KRack said:
They’re about 30 weeks or so. I think the fact that they split in to two flicks and free range at all times has helped their dynamic. I don’t have a ton of experience with roosters, but the ones I had that we culled were mostly hard and seemingly full of teenage hormones around 15-20 weeks. These two definitely fought hard for dominance around that time frame (drew blood), but once it was established it was accepted. It’s been smooth sailing since, and I’m praying that continues. But I’m not a stranger to hard decisions either.
Click to expand...
If you have the room and either the tribes split of their own accord or one knows enough about ones chickens to make a split for them, then seperate tribes is the way to go for so many reasons, not least, for a fascinating view into how their ancestors lived. My uncle had three or four tribes free ranging from dawn till dusk and that worked well on around three acres of farm space. They could have used more if they wanted.
I kept four and at one point five tribes all with one or more males completely free range. By that I mean they had a national park to use and in the daytime on the smallholding were completely unrestricted in their movement. The roosters scrapped most days but it was rarely serious in the ten years I cared for them.

If this is where you are headed then I have one tip; always have one coop spare and at least on isolation/maternity coop and run, examples of which can be seen on my coop page.
 
Shadrach said:
If you have the room and either the tribes split of their own accord or one knows enough about ones chickens to make a split for them, then seperate tribes is the way to go for so many reasons, not least, for a fascinating view into how their ancestors lived. My uncle had three or four tribes free ranging from dawn till dusk and that worked well on around three acres of farm space. They could have used more if they wanted.
I kept four and at one point five tribes all with one or more males completely free range. By that I mean they had a national park to use and in the daytime on the smallholding were completely unrestricted in their movement. The roosters scrapped most days but it was rarely serious in the ten years I cared for them.

If this is where you are headed then I have one tip; always have one coop spare and at least on isolation/maternity coop and run, examples of which can be seen on my coop page.
Click to expand...
I do have a maternity/isolation coop and run, but do not have a spare coop. It’s been absolutely fascinating to watch them! They split on their own and I’ve very much enjoyed learning from the process. A majority of them sleep in a tree, only 2 hens sleep in their coop, but the rest sleep together in the same tree. I thought once they split in to two flocks, roosting would also be divided, but the roosters come together for that part of the day without any quarreling. I’m a little surprised that they’ve turned out so “feral” but I’ve never raised them to be restricted. Im not sure how to find your coop page? Could you please share it with me?
 
KRack said:
I do have a maternity/isolation coop and run, but do not have a spare coop. It’s been absolutely fascinating to watch them! They split on their own and I’ve very much enjoyed learning from the process. A majority of them sleep in a tree, only 2 hens sleep in their coop, but the rest sleep together in the same tree. I thought once they split in to two flocks, roosting would also be divided, but the roosters come together for that part of the day without any quarreling. I’m a little surprised that they’ve turned out so “feral” but I’ve never raised them to be restricted. Im not sure how to find your coop page? Could you please share it with me?
Click to expand...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/shadrach’s-multi-coops.74344/

You might find these articles of interest.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/
 

Similar threads

CajunRoo
    • Like
Introducing Pullets to 2 Grown Hens
Replies
6
Views
783
Ridgerunner
Ridgerunner
J
Merging Two Flocks
Replies
6
Views
411
johnhallford
J
redinator
    • Like
Two flock question
2 3
Replies
21
Views
1K
Mrs. K
Mrs. K
Sandeewhispers
Introducing a young silkie to an established flock
Replies
4
Views
309
Sandeewhispers
Sandeewhispers
C
    • Like
    • Love
Need some advice with first ever roosters
2
Replies
17
Views
920
Camo chicken146
C

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom