diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 91ea5a6..b352337 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,18 @@
 
 ### Added
 
+- **`--max-tasks-jitter J` on `run_database_tasks`.** Each worker adds a
+  random number from 0 to J, drawn once when it starts, to `--max-tasks`,
+  the way gunicorn's `max_requests_jitter` does, so the workers of
+  `--workers N --continuous --max-tasks K` no longer all reach K and restart
+  at the same moment. The draw is made by the worker, so every worker and
+  every restart gets its own, and from the operating system's random source,
+  so a project that seeds `random` does not make them alike; the limit drawn is printed at startup and
+  carried as a new `max_tasks` field on `Worker started`. Without
+  `--max-tasks` the option is ignored. The default is 0, which leaves
+  `--max-tasks` exactly as it was, and the only change to existing output is
+  the added log field, so existing projects need no changes.
+  ([#64](https://github.com/tokibito/django-database-task/issues/64))
 - **A summary of the `--workers` supervisor's state in its log records.**
   When every worker is exiting with an error within ten seconds of starting
   at once, the supervisor logs one `Every worker is failing to start`
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4746b50..e0a38fe 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ python manage.py run_database_tasks [options]
 | `--continuous` | Keep polling even when no tasks |
 | `--interval` | Polling interval in seconds (default: 5) |
 | `--max-tasks` | Maximum number of tasks to process (0=unlimited) |
+| `--max-tasks-jitter` | Add a random number from 0 to this to `--max-tasks`, drawn once per worker at start (default: 0). Ignored without `--max-tasks`. See [Running several workers](#running-several-workers) |
 | `--source` | Where to look for tasks: `auto` (default), `db`, `broker` or `both`. See [Task sources](#task-sources) |
 | `--wait-time` | Seconds to wait for a broker message before looking again (default: 20) |
 | `--max-messages` | Maximum number of broker messages to receive at a time (default: 1) |
@@ -766,7 +767,24 @@ Shutdown complete: every worker exited.
   time.
 - **`--max-tasks`** goes to each worker. With `--continuous` that is
   gunicorn's `max_requests`: a worker exits after that many tasks and is
-  replaced, which bounds a leak in task code.
+  replaced, which bounds a leak in task code. The N workers start together
+  and process at similar rates, so on their own they reach the limit at
+  about the same time and restart together, leaving the host without a
+  worker for that moment. Add `--max-tasks-jitter J`, gunicorn's
+  `max_requests_jitter`, to spread them out: each worker draws a number
+  from 0 to J when it starts, a restarted one included, and stops after
+  `--max-tasks` plus that many tasks. A jitter of a tenth of `--max-tasks`
+  or more is a reasonable start:
+
+  ```bash
+  python manage.py run_database_tasks --continuous --workers 4 \
+      --max-tasks 1000 --max-tasks-jitter 100
+  ```
+
+  The limit a worker drew is printed at startup
+  (`Max tasks: 1037 (1000 + jitter 37 of up to 100)`) and carried as
+  `max_tasks` on its `Worker started` log record. A worker run by a process
+  manager rather than `--workers` takes the option the same way.
 - **Signals.** `SIGTERM` and `SIGINT` (Ctrl-Break too on Windows) are handled
   by the supervisor, which forwards them to every worker and waits for the
   workers to finish their running task, within `--shutdown-timeout` if one is
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo b/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo
index c19ee00..8b2f083 100644
Binary files a/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo and b/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo differ
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.po b/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
index c61c524..835fcce 100644
--- a/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
+++ b/django_database_task/locale/es/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ msgid ""
 msgstr ""
 "Project-Id-Version: django-database-task 0.1.0\n"
 "Report-Msgid-Bugs-To: \n"
-"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-02 05:07+0000\n"
+"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-12 16:27+0000\n"
 "PO-Revision-Date: 2026-09-30 00:00+0000\n"
 "Last-Translator: Shinya Okano <tokibito@gmail.com>\n"
 "Language-Team: Spanish\n"
@@ -135,31 +135,42 @@ msgstr "Número de tareas a procesar de una vez (predeterminado: 1000)"
 msgid "Show what would happen without changing anything"
 msgstr "Muestra lo que ocurriría sin cambiar nada"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:63
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
 msgid "Execute tasks queued in the database"
 msgstr "Ejecuta las tareas encoladas en la base de datos"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:77
 msgid "Queue name to process (all queues if not specified)"
 msgstr "Nombre de la cola a procesar (todas las colas si no se indica)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:76
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:83
 msgid "Backend name (default: default)"
 msgstr "Nombre del backend (predeterminado: default)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:81
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:88
 msgid "Continuous mode (keep polling even when no tasks)"
 msgstr "Modo continuo (sigue sondeando aunque no haya tareas)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:87
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:94
 msgid "Polling interval in seconds for continuous mode (default: 5)"
 msgstr "Intervalo de sondeo en segundos en modo continuo (predeterminado: 5)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:93
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
 msgid "Maximum number of tasks to process (0=unlimited, default: 0)"
 msgstr "Número máximo de tareas a procesar (0=ilimitado, predeterminado: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:108
+msgid ""
+"Add a random number from 0 to this to --max-tasks, drawn once when the "
+"worker starts, so workers started together do not all reach the limit at "
+"once. Ignored without --max-tasks (default: 0)"
+msgstr ""
+"Suma a --max-tasks un número aleatorio de 0 hasta este valor, sorteado una "
+"vez cuando el worker se inicia, para que los workers iniciados a la vez no "
+"alcancen el límite al mismo tiempo. Se ignora sin --max-tasks "
+"(predeterminado: 0)"
+
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:119
 msgid ""
 "Where to look for tasks: 'db' polls the database, 'broker' receives from the "
 "backend's broker, 'both' does the broker first and falls back to the "
@@ -171,7 +182,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "datos, y 'auto' (predeterminado) significa 'both' cuando el backend tiene un "
 "broker del que recibir y 'db' en caso contrario"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:112
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
 msgid ""
 "Seconds to wait for a broker message before looking again. Replaces --"
 "interval as the idle wait when receiving from a broker (default: 20)"
@@ -180,12 +191,12 @@ msgstr ""
 "Sustituye a --interval como espera inactiva al recibir de un broker "
 "(predeterminado: 20)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:122
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:141
 msgid "Maximum number of broker messages to receive at a time (default: 1)"
 msgstr ""
 "Número máximo de mensajes del broker a recibir de una vez (predeterminado: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:150
 msgid ""
 "Run this many worker processes from one command, each a copy of this command "
 "without --workers. With --continuous a worker that exits is replaced; "
@@ -196,18 +207,18 @@ msgstr ""
 "se reemplaza; sin él, el comando termina cuando todos los workers lo hayan "
 "hecho (predeterminado: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:143
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:162
 msgid ""
 "Run tasks in this many threads inside the worker. The task code must be "
 "thread-safe. The worker still polls once per interval; each thread has a "
 "database connection of its own (default: 1)"
 msgstr ""
-"Ejecuta las tareas en esta cantidad de hilos dentro del worker. El código "
-"de las tareas debe ser seguro para hilos. El worker sigue consultando una "
-"vez por intervalo; cada hilo tiene su propia conexión a la base de datos "
+"Ejecuta las tareas en esta cantidad de hilos dentro del worker. El código de "
+"las tareas debe ser seguro para hilos. El worker sigue consultando una vez "
+"por intervalo; cada hilo tiene su propia conexión a la base de datos "
 "(predeterminado: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:154
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
 msgid ""
 "Maximum seconds to wait for the running task after receiving SIGTERM/SIGINT "
 "before forcing exit (0=wait indefinitely, default: 0)"
@@ -216,7 +227,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "SIGINT antes de forzar la salida (0=esperar indefinidamente, predeterminado: "
 "0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:163
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:182
 msgid ""
 "Do not install SIGTERM/SIGINT handlers; the process is terminated "
 "immediately, even while a task is running"
@@ -224,7 +235,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "No instala manejadores de SIGTERM/SIGINT; el proceso termina de inmediato, "
 "incluso con una tarea en ejecución"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:192
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when no task was processed, so a job scheduler can tell "
 "an idle run from a real one (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
@@ -233,7 +244,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "planificador de trabajos distinga una ejecución vacía de una real "
 "(0=terminar normalmente, predeterminado: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:184
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:203
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when at least one task failed or could not be run. Takes "
 "precedence over --empty-exit-code (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo b/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo
index 532ff55..b3fc286 100644
Binary files a/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo and b/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo differ
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.po b/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
index 007e2a2..bcb0c63 100644
--- a/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
+++ b/django_database_task/locale/ja/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ msgid ""
 msgstr ""
 "Project-Id-Version: django-database-task 0.1.0\n"
 "Report-Msgid-Bugs-To: \n"
-"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-02 05:07+0000\n"
+"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-12 16:27+0000\n"
 "PO-Revision-Date: 2025-12-27 00:00+0000\n"
 "Last-Translator: Shinya Okano <tokibito@gmail.com>\n"
 "Language-Team: Japanese\n"
@@ -129,31 +129,41 @@ msgstr "一度に処理するタスク数 (デフォルト: 1000)"
 msgid "Show what would happen without changing anything"
 msgstr "何も変更せずに、何が行われるかを表示"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:63
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
 msgid "Execute tasks queued in the database"
 msgstr "データベースのキューに登録されたタスクを実行"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:77
 msgid "Queue name to process (all queues if not specified)"
 msgstr "処理するキュー名 (指定しない場合はすべてのキュー)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:76
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:83
 msgid "Backend name (default: default)"
 msgstr "バックエンド名 (デフォルト: default)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:81
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:88
 msgid "Continuous mode (keep polling even when no tasks)"
 msgstr "継続モード (タスクがなくてもポーリングを続ける)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:87
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:94
 msgid "Polling interval in seconds for continuous mode (default: 5)"
 msgstr "継続モードのポーリング間隔（秒）(デフォルト: 5)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:93
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
 msgid "Maximum number of tasks to process (0=unlimited, default: 0)"
 msgstr "処理する最大タスク数 (0=無制限、デフォルト: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:108
+msgid ""
+"Add a random number from 0 to this to --max-tasks, drawn once when the "
+"worker starts, so workers started together do not all reach the limit at "
+"once. Ignored without --max-tasks (default: 0)"
+msgstr ""
+"--max-tasks に 0 からこの値までの乱数を加える。乱数はワーカーの起動時に 1 回"
+"だけ引くので、同時に起動したワーカーが一斉に上限に達することがなくなる。--"
+"max-tasks がないときは無視される (デフォルト: 0)"
+
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:119
 msgid ""
 "Where to look for tasks: 'db' polls the database, 'broker' receives from the "
 "backend's broker, 'both' does the broker first and falls back to the "
@@ -165,7 +175,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "バックする。'auto' (デフォルト) は、受信できるブローカーがバックエンドにあれ"
 "ば 'both'、なければ 'db' になる"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:112
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
 msgid ""
 "Seconds to wait for a broker message before looking again. Replaces --"
 "interval as the idle wait when receiving from a broker (default: 20)"
@@ -173,11 +183,11 @@ msgstr ""
 "再確認するまでブローカーのメッセージを待つ秒数。ブローカーから受信する場合、"
 "アイドル時の待機として --interval の代わりに使われる (デフォルト: 20)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:122
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:141
 msgid "Maximum number of broker messages to receive at a time (default: 1)"
 msgstr "一度に受信するブローカーメッセージの最大数 (デフォルト: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:150
 msgid ""
 "Run this many worker processes from one command, each a copy of this command "
 "without --workers. With --continuous a worker that exits is replaced; "
@@ -187,18 +197,17 @@ msgstr ""
 "このコマンドのコピー。--continuous 指定時は終了したワーカーを再起動し、未指定"
 "時は全ワーカーが終了するとコマンドも終了する (デフォルト: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:143
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:162
 msgid ""
 "Run tasks in this many threads inside the worker. The task code must be "
 "thread-safe. The worker still polls once per interval; each thread has a "
 "database connection of its own (default: 1)"
 msgstr ""
-"ワーカー内でこの数のスレッドでタスクを実行する。タスクのコードはスレッドセーフである必要がある。ポーリングは引き続き "
-"interval ごとに 1 "
-"回で、スレッドごとにデータベース接続を 1 本持つ "
-"(デフォルト: 1)"
+"ワーカー内でこの数のスレッドでタスクを実行する。タスクのコードはスレッドセー"
+"フである必要がある。ポーリングは引き続き interval ごとに 1 回で、スレッドごと"
+"にデータベース接続を 1 本持つ (デフォルト: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:154
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
 msgid ""
 "Maximum seconds to wait for the running task after receiving SIGTERM/SIGINT "
 "before forcing exit (0=wait indefinitely, default: 0)"
@@ -206,7 +215,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "SIGTERM/SIGINTを受信してから強制終了するまで、実行中のタスクを待つ最大秒数 "
 "(0=無期限に待つ、デフォルト: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:163
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:182
 msgid ""
 "Do not install SIGTERM/SIGINT handlers; the process is terminated "
 "immediately, even while a task is running"
@@ -214,7 +223,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "SIGTERM/SIGINTハンドラーを設定しない。タスクの実行中でもプロセスは即座に終了"
 "する"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:192
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when no task was processed, so a job scheduler can tell "
 "an idle run from a real one (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
@@ -222,7 +231,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "タスクを1件も処理しなかった場合にこの終了コードで終了する。ジョブスケジュー"
 "ラーが空振りの実行を区別できるようにする (0=通常どおり終了、デフォルト: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:184
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:203
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when at least one task failed or could not be run. Takes "
 "precedence over --empty-exit-code (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo b/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo
index 275e84e..2628a31 100644
Binary files a/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo and b/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo differ
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.po b/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
index 8ca5a27..4b42e28 100644
--- a/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
+++ b/django_database_task/locale/pt_BR/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ msgid ""
 msgstr ""
 "Project-Id-Version: django-database-task 0.1.0\n"
 "Report-Msgid-Bugs-To: \n"
-"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-02 05:07+0000\n"
+"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-12 16:27+0000\n"
 "PO-Revision-Date: 2026-09-30 00:00+0000\n"
 "Last-Translator: Shinya Okano <tokibito@gmail.com>\n"
 "Language-Team: Brazilian Portuguese\n"
@@ -132,31 +132,41 @@ msgstr "Número de tarefas a processar de uma vez (padrão: 1000)"
 msgid "Show what would happen without changing anything"
 msgstr "Mostra o que aconteceria sem alterar nada"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:63
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
 msgid "Execute tasks queued in the database"
 msgstr "Executa as tarefas enfileiradas no banco de dados"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:77
 msgid "Queue name to process (all queues if not specified)"
 msgstr "Nome da fila a processar (todas as filas se não for informado)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:76
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:83
 msgid "Backend name (default: default)"
 msgstr "Nome do backend (padrão: default)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:81
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:88
 msgid "Continuous mode (keep polling even when no tasks)"
 msgstr "Modo contínuo (continua consultando mesmo sem tarefas)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:87
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:94
 msgid "Polling interval in seconds for continuous mode (default: 5)"
 msgstr "Intervalo de consulta em segundos no modo contínuo (padrão: 5)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:93
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
 msgid "Maximum number of tasks to process (0=unlimited, default: 0)"
 msgstr "Número máximo de tarefas a processar (0=ilimitado, padrão: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:108
+msgid ""
+"Add a random number from 0 to this to --max-tasks, drawn once when the "
+"worker starts, so workers started together do not all reach the limit at "
+"once. Ignored without --max-tasks (default: 0)"
+msgstr ""
+"Soma a --max-tasks um número aleatório de 0 até este valor, sorteado uma vez "
+"quando o worker inicia, para que workers iniciados juntos não atinjam o "
+"limite ao mesmo tempo. Ignorado sem --max-tasks (padrão: 0)"
+
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:119
 msgid ""
 "Where to look for tasks: 'db' polls the database, 'broker' receives from the "
 "backend's broker, 'both' does the broker first and falls back to the "
@@ -168,7 +178,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "e 'auto' (padrão) significa 'both' quando o backend tem um broker do qual "
 "receber e 'db' caso contrário"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:112
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
 msgid ""
 "Seconds to wait for a broker message before looking again. Replaces --"
 "interval as the idle wait when receiving from a broker (default: 20)"
@@ -176,11 +186,11 @@ msgstr ""
 "Segundos de espera por uma mensagem do broker antes de verificar novamente. "
 "Substitui --interval como espera ociosa ao receber de um broker (padrão: 20)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:122
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:141
 msgid "Maximum number of broker messages to receive at a time (default: 1)"
 msgstr "Número máximo de mensagens do broker a receber de uma vez (padrão: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:150
 msgid ""
 "Run this many worker processes from one command, each a copy of this command "
 "without --workers. With --continuous a worker that exits is replaced; "
@@ -191,7 +201,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "que sai é substituído; sem ele, o comando termina quando todos os workers "
 "terminarem (padrão: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:143
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:162
 msgid ""
 "Run tasks in this many threads inside the worker. The task code must be "
 "thread-safe. The worker still polls once per interval; each thread has a "
@@ -202,7 +212,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "por intervalo; cada thread tem a sua própria conexão com o banco de dados "
 "(padrão: 1)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:154
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
 msgid ""
 "Maximum seconds to wait for the running task after receiving SIGTERM/SIGINT "
 "before forcing exit (0=wait indefinitely, default: 0)"
@@ -210,7 +220,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "Tempo máximo, em segundos, de espera pela tarefa em execução após receber "
 "SIGTERM/SIGINT antes de forçar a saída (0=esperar indefinidamente, padrão: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:163
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:182
 msgid ""
 "Do not install SIGTERM/SIGINT handlers; the process is terminated "
 "immediately, even while a task is running"
@@ -218,7 +228,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "Não instala manipuladores de SIGTERM/SIGINT; o processo é encerrado "
 "imediatamente, mesmo com uma tarefa em execução"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:192
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when no task was processed, so a job scheduler can tell "
 "an idle run from a real one (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
@@ -227,7 +237,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "agendador de jobs distinga uma execução ociosa de uma real (0=sair "
 "normalmente, padrão: 0)"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:184
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:203
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when at least one task failed or could not be run. Takes "
 "precedence over --empty-exit-code (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo b/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo
index 1920335..034f0c4 100644
Binary files a/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo and b/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.mo differ
diff --git a/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.po b/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
index 0035b39..379333c 100644
--- a/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
+++ b/django_database_task/locale/zh_Hans/LC_MESSAGES/django.po
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ msgid ""
 msgstr ""
 "Project-Id-Version: django-database-task 0.1.0\n"
 "Report-Msgid-Bugs-To: \n"
-"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-02 05:07+0000\n"
+"POT-Creation-Date: 2026-10-12 16:27+0000\n"
 "PO-Revision-Date: 2026-09-30 00:00+0000\n"
 "Last-Translator: Shinya Okano <tokibito@gmail.com>\n"
 "Language-Team: Simplified Chinese\n"
@@ -123,31 +123,40 @@ msgstr "每次处理的任务数（默认：1000）"
 msgid "Show what would happen without changing anything"
 msgstr "显示将会执行的操作，但不做任何更改"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:63
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
 msgid "Execute tasks queued in the database"
 msgstr "执行在数据库中排队的任务"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:70
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:77
 msgid "Queue name to process (all queues if not specified)"
 msgstr "要处理的队列名称（未指定时为所有队列）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:76
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:83
 msgid "Backend name (default: default)"
 msgstr "后端名称（默认：default）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:81
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:88
 msgid "Continuous mode (keep polling even when no tasks)"
 msgstr "持续模式（没有任务时也继续轮询）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:87
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:94
 msgid "Polling interval in seconds for continuous mode (default: 5)"
 msgstr "持续模式的轮询间隔秒数（默认：5）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:93
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
 msgid "Maximum number of tasks to process (0=unlimited, default: 0)"
 msgstr "要处理的最大任务数（0=不限，默认：0）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:100
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:108
+msgid ""
+"Add a random number from 0 to this to --max-tasks, drawn once when the "
+"worker starts, so workers started together do not all reach the limit at "
+"once. Ignored without --max-tasks (default: 0)"
+msgstr ""
+"在 --max-tasks 上加一个 0 到此值之间的随机数，在工作进程启动时抽取一次，使同"
+"时启动的工作进程不会同时达到上限。未指定 --max-tasks 时忽略（默认：0）"
+
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:119
 msgid ""
 "Where to look for tasks: 'db' polls the database, 'broker' receives from the "
 "backend's broker, 'both' does the broker first and falls back to the "
@@ -158,7 +167,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "消息代理再回退到数据库，'auto'（默认）在后端有可接收的消息代理时为 'both'，否"
 "则为 'db'"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:112
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
 msgid ""
 "Seconds to wait for a broker message before looking again. Replaces --"
 "interval as the idle wait when receiving from a broker (default: 20)"
@@ -166,11 +175,11 @@ msgstr ""
 "再次查看前等待消息代理消息的秒数。从消息代理接收时，取代 --interval 作为空闲"
 "时的等待（默认：20）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:122
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:141
 msgid "Maximum number of broker messages to receive at a time (default: 1)"
 msgstr "每次接收的消息代理消息的最大数量（默认：1）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:131
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:150
 msgid ""
 "Run this many worker processes from one command, each a copy of this command "
 "without --workers. With --continuous a worker that exits is replaced; "
@@ -180,15 +189,16 @@ msgstr ""
 "continuous 时，退出的工作进程会被替换；未指定时，所有工作进程退出后命令即退出"
 "（默认：1）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:143
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:162
 msgid ""
 "Run tasks in this many threads inside the worker. The task code must be "
 "thread-safe. The worker still polls once per interval; each thread has a "
 "database connection of its own (default: 1)"
 msgstr ""
-"在工作进程内用这么多个线程运行任务。任务代码必须是线程安全的。工作进程仍每个间隔轮询一次；每个线程有自己的数据库连接（默认：1）"
+"在工作进程内用这么多个线程运行任务。任务代码必须是线程安全的。工作进程仍每个"
+"间隔轮询一次；每个线程有自己的数据库连接（默认：1）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:154
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
 msgid ""
 "Maximum seconds to wait for the running task after receiving SIGTERM/SIGINT "
 "before forcing exit (0=wait indefinitely, default: 0)"
@@ -196,13 +206,13 @@ msgstr ""
 "收到 SIGTERM/SIGINT 后、强制退出前等待正在运行的任务的最长秒数（0=无限期等"
 "待，默认：0）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:163
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:182
 msgid ""
 "Do not install SIGTERM/SIGINT handlers; the process is terminated "
 "immediately, even while a task is running"
 msgstr "不安装 SIGTERM/SIGINT 处理程序；即使有任务正在运行，进程也会立即终止"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:173
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:192
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when no task was processed, so a job scheduler can tell "
 "an idle run from a real one (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
@@ -210,7 +220,7 @@ msgstr ""
 "未处理任何任务时以此代码退出，以便作业调度器区分空转的运行与实际的运行（0=正"
 "常退出，默认：0）"
 
-#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:184
+#: management/commands/run_database_tasks.py:203
 msgid ""
 "Exit with this code when at least one task failed or could not be run. Takes "
 "precedence over --empty-exit-code (0=exit normally, default: 0)"
diff --git a/django_database_task/management/commands/run_database_tasks.py b/django_database_task/management/commands/run_database_tasks.py
index 88484a0..b45bcdb 100644
--- a/django_database_task/management/commands/run_database_tasks.py
+++ b/django_database_task/management/commands/run_database_tasks.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import argparse
 import functools
 import logging
+import random
 import socket
 import sys
 import threading
@@ -98,6 +99,18 @@ def add_arguments(self, parser):
             default=0,
             help=_("Maximum number of tasks to process (0=unlimited, default: 0)"),
         )
+        parser.add_argument(
+            "--max-tasks-jitter",
+            type=int,
+            default=0,
+            metavar="J",
+            help=_(
+                "Add a random number from 0 to this to --max-tasks, drawn once "
+                "when the worker starts, so workers started together do not "
+                "all reach the limit at once. Ignored without --max-tasks "
+                "(default: 0)"
+            ),
+        )
         parser.add_argument(
             "--source",
             choices=SOURCES,
@@ -214,6 +227,9 @@ def handle(self, *args, **options):
         threads = options["threads"]
         if threads < 1:
             raise CommandError("--threads must be at least 1")
+        max_tasks_jitter = options["max_tasks_jitter"]
+        if max_tasks_jitter < 0:
+            raise CommandError("--max-tasks-jitter must not be negative")
 
         backend = task_backends[backend_name]
         source = self._resolve_source(backend, options["source"])
@@ -226,6 +242,12 @@ def handle(self, *args, **options):
 
         worker_id = f"{socket.gethostname()}-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]}"
         worker_index = self._read_worker_index()
+        # Drawn here, in the worker, rather than by the --workers supervisor,
+        # so that every worker and every restart gets a value of its own; and
+        # from the OS rather than the random module's shared generator, which
+        # a project that seeds it at import would make draw alike everywhere.
+        jitter = random.SystemRandom().randint(0, max_tasks_jitter) if max_tasks else 0
+        max_tasks += jitter
         if verbosity >= 1:
             self.stdout.write(f"Worker ID: {worker_id}")
             if worker_index is not None:
@@ -243,7 +265,12 @@ def handle(self, *args, **options):
                     f"Broker: {type(backend.broker).__name__} "
                     f"(wait={wait_time}s, max_messages={max_messages})"
                 )
-            if max_tasks:
+            if max_tasks and max_tasks_jitter:
+                self.stdout.write(
+                    f"Max tasks: {max_tasks} ({options['max_tasks']} + jitter "
+                    f"{jitter} of up to {max_tasks_jitter})"
+                )
+            elif max_tasks:
                 self.stdout.write(f"Max tasks: {max_tasks}")
             if graceful:
                 timeout_label = (
@@ -275,6 +302,7 @@ def handle(self, *args, **options):
                 "queue_name": queue_name,
                 "continuous": continuous,
                 "threads": threads,
+                "max_tasks": max_tasks,
                 **worker_log_fields(),
             },
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_commands.py b/tests/test_commands.py
index bfc4510..e36a606 100644
--- a/tests/test_commands.py
+++ b/tests/test_commands.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 """Tests for management commands."""
 
 import os
+import random
+import re
 import signal
 import sqlite3
 import subprocess
@@ -156,6 +158,94 @@ def test_run_database_tasks_no_tasks(self):
         assert "No more tasks to process" in out.getvalue()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+class TestRunDatabaseTasksMaxTasksJitter:
+    """--max-tasks-jitter: a random addition to --max-tasks, drawn per worker."""
+
+    def run(self, drawn=0, **options):
+        out = StringIO()
+        with patch("random.SystemRandom.randint", return_value=drawn) as randint:
+            call_command("run_database_tasks", stdout=out, **options)
+        return out.getvalue(), randint
+
+    def test_the_drawn_value_is_added_to_max_tasks(self):
+        for i in range(5):
+            simple_task.enqueue(i, i)
+
+        output, randint = self.run(drawn=2, max_tasks=1, max_tasks_jitter=3)
+
+        randint.assert_called_once_with(0, 3)
+        assert "Max tasks: 3 (1 + jitter 2 of up to 3)" in output
+        assert "Reached max tasks limit: 3" in output
+        assert (
+            DatabaseTask.objects.filter(status=TaskResultStatus.SUCCESSFUL).count() == 3
+        )
+        assert DatabaseTask.objects.filter(status=TaskResultStatus.READY).count() == 2
+
+    def test_a_draw_of_zero_leaves_max_tasks_as_it_is(self):
+        for i in range(3):
+            simple_task.enqueue(i, i)
+
+        output, _ = self.run(drawn=0, max_tasks=2, max_tasks_jitter=3)
+
+        assert "Max tasks: 2 (2 + jitter 0 of up to 3)" in output
+        assert (
+            DatabaseTask.objects.filter(status=TaskResultStatus.SUCCESSFUL).count() == 2
+        )
+
+    def test_the_default_is_no_jitter(self):
+        """Without the option --max-tasks is what it has always been."""
+        output, randint = self.run(max_tasks=2)
+
+        randint.assert_called_once_with(0, 0)
+        assert "Max tasks: 2\n" in output
+        assert "jitter" not in output
+
+    def test_jitter_without_max_tasks_is_ignored(self):
+        """Unlimited stays unlimited, as with gunicorn's max_requests_jitter."""
+        for i in range(3):
+            simple_task.enqueue(i, i)
+
+        output, randint = self.run(drawn=1, max_tasks_jitter=5)
+
+        randint.assert_not_called()
+        assert "Max tasks" not in output
+        assert (
+            DatabaseTask.objects.filter(status=TaskResultStatus.SUCCESSFUL).count() == 3
+        )
+
+    def test_a_seeded_random_module_does_not_make_the_draws_alike(self):
+        """A project that seeds random at import must not undo the jitter."""
+        drawn = []
+        state = random.getstate()
+        try:
+            for _ in range(2):
+                random.seed(0)
+                out = StringIO()
+                call_command(
+                    "run_database_tasks",
+                    max_tasks=1,
+                    max_tasks_jitter=10**9,
+                    stdout=out,
+                )
+                drawn.append(re.search(r"Max tasks: (\d+)", out.getvalue())[1])
+        finally:
+            random.setstate(state)
+
+        assert drawn[0] != drawn[1]
+
+    def test_jitter_must_not_be_negative(self):
+        with pytest.raises(
+            CommandError, match="--max-tasks-jitter must not be negative"
+        ):
+            call_command(
+                "run_database_tasks",
+                max_tasks=1,
+                max_tasks_jitter=-1,
+                stdout=StringIO(),
+            )
+
+
 @posix_signals
 @pytest.mark.django_db
 class TestRunDatabaseTasksGracefulShutdown:
@@ -1375,6 +1465,12 @@ def test_the_workers_exit_codes_become_the_commands(self):
             self.run_workers(code=1, workers=2, failed_exit_code=1)
         assert exc_info.value.code == 1
 
+    def test_the_jitter_is_drawn_by_each_worker_not_the_supervisor(self):
+        with patch("random.SystemRandom.randint") as randint:
+            self.run_workers(workers=2, max_tasks=10, max_tasks_jitter=5)
+
+        randint.assert_not_called()
+
     def test_a_normal_exit_of_every_worker_exits_normally(self):
         self.run_workers(code=0, workers=2, empty_exit_code=4, failed_exit_code=1)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_logging.py b/tests/test_logging.py
index 199d313..c8d6e3c 100644
--- a/tests/test_logging.py
+++ b/tests/test_logging.py
@@ -275,6 +275,20 @@ def test_start_is_logged_with_fields(self, task_logs):
         assert record.source == "db"
         assert record.queue_name == "emails"
         assert record.continuous is False
+        assert record.max_tasks == 0
+
+    def test_start_carries_the_max_tasks_with_the_jitter_drawn(self, task_logs):
+        """The drawn jitter is otherwise invisible to a fleet's logs."""
+        with patch("random.SystemRandom.randint", return_value=7):
+            call_command(
+                "run_database_tasks",
+                max_tasks=100,
+                max_tasks_jitter=10,
+                stdout=StringIO(),
+            )
+
+        (record,) = records_matching(task_logs, "Worker started")
+        assert record.max_tasks == 107
 
     def test_a_failed_receive_is_logged_with_the_worker_fields(self, task_logs):
         class BrokenBroker(FakePullBroker):