This summer my husband started this for our kids, but some how it is now my project. I love it. I had 8 hens and 1 rooster and was getting 3-4 eggs daily. Which I think is good considering the weather we've been having. I got 10 more hens last week and they seem to be getting a long fine. I was thinking about getting another rooster. Is this a good idea? I orginially had two, but one died. Any other pointers anyone has would be great! Thanks
New at this
Hi, grahamkrcker, I have about 35 hens and 3 roosters. A ratio of 1 rooster to 8 - 10 hens is a good one. Of course you don't need roosters for eggs, but I have always wanted them. If you plan on setting some of your hens or hatching your own eggs, then you do need them.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
Hi! How many eggs do you get with 35 hens? This sorta started as a 4h for my young kids, but I really enjoy it. I found this website last night and it has been very helpful. I have been having problems w/ water freezing due to our cold weather, any suggestions?
Hello grahamkrcker! Welcome to DG!
We go out several times a day and give the birds fresh water. There is no way to get electric to both coops right now so we just keep giving them more. At least this way, I'm sure we collect the eggs right away and also keep them fed. We have such nice friendly birds and they are happy to see us. Well, those two roosters could live without us and vice versa but......LOL You can buy or make water heaters but I think all of them require electric.
I have around 40 hens and 2 roosters and we are still getting between 12-20 eggs a day. I shudder to think what will happen when it warms up. My birds are just moving up on one year old.
Like granny said, you don't need roosters unless you want to hatch eggs. They are not necessary for egg laying. We had to seperate the two we have because they were being pretty rough on the women folk. ;)
Welcome to DG, Grahamkrckr!! We are happy to have you.
I am new to chickens, as well, and have a lot of chicks started.
I have 1 big, sweet roo and 1 hen right now. He is so
protective of her, not from us, but just keeps an eye on her
and keeps watch while she lays her eggs. Does anyone think
hens do fine free range without a roo watching over them?
Like Badseed, we are getting around 12 to 20 eggs a day. We were going to cut back on their layer mash but have picked up more customers, so we will not do that now. Ours are also just under a year old. We have Black Australorps, and one RIR rooster (the old man).
For water freezing, if your henhouse is close enough for you to run a heavy-duty electric extension cord to it, I would suggest you get a water heater base and you won't have to worry about the water freezing. We also use the extension cord to keep a heat lamp and a regular light going in the henhouse. Our temps are going around to 20 below zero here right now. So we need the heat in the henhouse.
Of course, we still go out every few hours to collect eggs as even with the heat there, the eggs could freeze. Not very often, but we have had it happen.
Truest, I don't know as I have had roosters for my flocks from day one. I just happen to like them and, yes, they are pretty protective of their ladies.
Plus, our girls are only free range in the evenings when the weather permits. They don't stay out too long anyway. But, grampa Rocky always leaves the lady protecting to the less dominant roosters when they do free range. He goes into the house and goes to bed. (Spoiled) LOL
Oh, what a lush. He has leutenants to do the 'grunt' work! LOL
I am still figuring the best arrangement for my birds. I want
to offer purebreds & eggs, and guess those will need to be kept
seperate. But, I also know how happy they are to have freedom
to browse wherever they like. I just like the comfort knowing
there is a big roo with a big mouth to tell me when something's
up. Then, I can send the dogs out to make rounds and scare
off any fox that's lurking. And, I am afraid I have one lurking.
Davey will sound off, then that sets off the dogs, and I know
to let them out. :o)
may princess tammy have a very good roo. like mine.
We had 10 hens and one rooster. Last July we had a hen set and hatch out some eggs. We ended up with 4 hens and 6 roosters from that hatch. We put them all together in the pen with the older ones about a month ago (except for 4 of the 6 roosters, gave away one, the other 3 are dinner) they are getting along well. We have 3 roosters in the pen. The older original rooster protects his hens and doesn't want the young ones with "his women" and he doesn't go after the younger hens. So we have 2 roosters for the 4 hens. The only reason we kept the two is because they became pets. One we hatched under a light in the house because he was a week later than the others, and the other one had a hurt leg when he was little and is now spoiled rotton. No way my kids would allow him to become dinner.