Re: Neighbors dog got in my chickens

hal@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:49:48 -0500, Gordie <gordy@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>>> the rooster survived.  He seems to be doing fine.  I have 3 and I
>>> can't even tell which one was chewed up.  The hen was not able to
>>> walk after about 3 days I put her down as she didn't seem to be
>>> recovering. So now I'm down to 20 hens and 3 roosters.
>>> Contemplating taking 2 of the roosters for dinner sometime soon.
>>>
>>>
>>> Hal
>>
>> WOW, I have always tried to keep an 8:1 ratio of hens to roosters.
>
> is that standard practice?  I'm new at this, of course, and I had
> always heard you didn't want more than one rooster because they would
> fight.  I don't have facilities to keep them separated yet, so was
> planning on keeping only one but would keep all three if I thought
> they would get along ok.
>

We have managed to more than one cockerel together with our breeds, but
some 
individuals have not taken to it so have gone on to sole male homes.
Its something that either works or doesn't depending on each bird.
One male to 20 should still be fine, you might have a little lessening in 
overall fertility across the flock.

-- 
regards
Jill Bowis

Domestic Poultry and Waterfowl Solutions
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine Nursery
Seasonal Farm Food
http://www.kintaline.co.uk