Can you have more than two cockerel's in the same flock?

[EdTheChicken]

Hi, this is my first post.
I wanted to know more about keeping multiple cockerel's in the same flock. I have seen it done but wanted to know the risks and how easily it can be done. I currently have a flock of 8 ( I cockerel, 7 hens ) but I am now looking to start breeding over the spring. I would like to hatch a couple of males. I was wondering how my current rooster would act towards his sons, and visa versa.
My cockerel is a buff sussex and is very docile towards humans and his hens. He has already proved that he is more than up for the job of breeding, and I would like to raise the chicks naturally, using a broody hen, and allowing her to raise them within the pen.

Thanks

EdTheChicken

 

[Frenchchickens123]

Hi, yes it is possible to have more than 1 cockeral but you would need to have more hens. I have a flock of 7 hens and 1 cock (marran) and another flock with just males if they go anywhere near the hens my marran goes mental at them! I believe a cockeral can service 8-10 hens any more than that and you can safely add another cockeral because there's enough hens to go around. I hatched 5 chicks who are 12 weeks old now and been with the hens and marran for a while, there are two male chicks and there has been no fighting between father and son but I'm sure there will be when the chicks are older and want their own hens. As for fighting it can be pretty nasty although my marran just chases rather than having proper fights. I'm sure if they were lef together it could get pretty bad and bloody. Hope this helps x

 

[Lordcluck]

With sufficient space, and sufficient females to go around, it is most certainly possible. I remember seeing pictures of commercial breeding straw yards, with up to a dozen or so Rhode Island red males running with a dozen females apiece, as one flock.
Skirmishes are inevitable, but by hatching and rearing males together in the flock under the mastery of their Sire ,will minimize any aggression amongst them.

 

[podstable]

Mine ( usually 8 ish)all mooch around together all winter with no problem at all , when needed for breeding I pen off cokerels with their appropriate girls. That works fine for me with the boys that have been bred here and raised in my flock--introduce one from outside and the whole equilibrium goes haywire with all sorts of squabbles!!!! Ros

 

[daniellesdogs]

i hpe mine will be ok iv 5 boys orpington x, cuckoo something, polishxsilkie,pekin and pekinxpolish and i ca not make up my mind who to keep.

 

[EdTheChicken]

Thanks so much! I hope everything goes alright and Keith, my cockerel, behaves himself! X