dooleysm
Platinum Member
They're ugly as chicks and they certainly don't improve with age...at least not through 16 weeks.
Chickens, and things related
- Thread starter Tororider
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OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
I just don't know why they would want to keep breeding them. They just look wrong to me.
dooleysm
Platinum Member
I've done my part to exterminate the breed, that's all I can say.
I'm looking forward to getting my first eggs from my spring chicks. I can never remember exactly how old they are, but I think they are 16-18 weeks right now. I hope this heat doesn't keep them from starting to lay. This weekend's supposed to be the hottest of the year so far, in the mid-upper 90's.
I've got a few more roosters that I need to butcher too, but I'm not looking forward to that task in this heat either. I've decided to give up on plucking, it's too much extra work and since we're just making soup out of them anyway, I think skinning is the way to go.
I have an interesting situation going with the roosters and one of the small hens I got at the auction several months ago. I have 3 hens from that auction that are all laying. 2 of them are small, bantams maybe, and the third is a bit bigger, about the size of my 'chicks'. The 3 older ones used to always stick together and beat up on the chicks.
A few weeks ago one of the roosters started crowing, mating with the older hens, and generally acting very roosterish. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that one of the small hens was spending most of her time on the opposite side of my house from the flock. One evening I watched her try to sneak back to the coop and the 'king' rooster darted after her and chased her to the other side of the house. It was like as soon as he saw her he just went into top speed chasing her and she darted away. I butchered that rooster last Sunday morning.
Before evening another rooster had stepped up and started crowing. He was obviously the new 'king' rooster. The little hen continued to stay away from the flock when I let them out. She stays by herself when they are in the coop/run too. She spends most of her time in a nest box by herself. Anyway, a couple days ago the exact same thing happened. She tried to sneak back into the coop and the new alpha rooster went berserk and chased her off.
None of the other chickens (male or female) pay any attention to her when she's around, it just seems to be that whichever rooster is in charge hates this little hen. I guess I'll just keep butchering the alpha rooster until I'm down to my last one. I want to keep one rooster around because I think they're neat, but I don't know what to do about this little hen.
I'm looking forward to getting my first eggs from my spring chicks. I can never remember exactly how old they are, but I think they are 16-18 weeks right now. I hope this heat doesn't keep them from starting to lay. This weekend's supposed to be the hottest of the year so far, in the mid-upper 90's.
I've got a few more roosters that I need to butcher too, but I'm not looking forward to that task in this heat either. I've decided to give up on plucking, it's too much extra work and since we're just making soup out of them anyway, I think skinning is the way to go.
I have an interesting situation going with the roosters and one of the small hens I got at the auction several months ago. I have 3 hens from that auction that are all laying. 2 of them are small, bantams maybe, and the third is a bit bigger, about the size of my 'chicks'. The 3 older ones used to always stick together and beat up on the chicks.
A few weeks ago one of the roosters started crowing, mating with the older hens, and generally acting very roosterish. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that one of the small hens was spending most of her time on the opposite side of my house from the flock. One evening I watched her try to sneak back to the coop and the 'king' rooster darted after her and chased her to the other side of the house. It was like as soon as he saw her he just went into top speed chasing her and she darted away. I butchered that rooster last Sunday morning.
Before evening another rooster had stepped up and started crowing. He was obviously the new 'king' rooster. The little hen continued to stay away from the flock when I let them out. She stays by herself when they are in the coop/run too. She spends most of her time in a nest box by herself. Anyway, a couple days ago the exact same thing happened. She tried to sneak back into the coop and the new alpha rooster went berserk and chased her off.
None of the other chickens (male or female) pay any attention to her when she's around, it just seems to be that whichever rooster is in charge hates this little hen. I guess I'll just keep butchering the alpha rooster until I'm down to my last one. I want to keep one rooster around because I think they're neat, but I don't know what to do about this little hen.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
There may not be anything you can do. If they have decided she is on the outs you may butcher all of your roosters and then the alpha hen may keep her away, you never know.
dooleysm
Platinum Member
That's kind of what I'm afraid of. It sure seems odd though, because she was friends with these other 2 hens for so long and nobody ever bothered her for months, then all of a sudden that one rooster decided he didn't like her around.
The worst part is that she's one of only 3 layers I have right now, and she's not laying eggs anywhere I can find them any more.
The worst part is that she's one of only 3 layers I have right now, and she's not laying eggs anywhere I can find them any more.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
Have you thought about making a smaller area where you can put her with her two former "friends" that is within, or next to the larger pen? That way, she kind of gets back on the ins with those two and the others see her around. Just a thought. More work for you though, unless you have an extra dog house and some fence laying around.
dooleysm
Platinum Member
I do have a 4x8 above ground kennel that I use to isolate roosters for 24 hours before butchering. I could throw the 3 former friends in there for a few days. Maybe I'll work on that next weekend. I'm too busy to deal with it this weekend, and I think with this heat I'd have to make some shade for that kennel or I'd end up with 3 roasted hens.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
That'd would perfectly. Just the right size for three hens, and the added bonus of being able to find your eggs. You could just throw a tarp or something over it and make a lean-to for shelter if it is staying warm enough. Good luck.
OP
Tororider
Veteran Member
Well I got out to my SIL's place to check on them and something had gotten them. Dug right under the tractor side and then probably took his time dining on not only the chickens, but ate all the feed that was in the 11lb hanging feeder. My guess is a coon. Its a bummer, but I guess I am glad it wasn't the littler chicks I have now as I am hoping to make some breeding groups out of them.
I will make sure that we put a skirt around the run we are going to build to stop the digging in. That and I am going to buy some more mature roos to look after the girls as much as possible.
I will make sure that we put a skirt around the run we are going to build to stop the digging in. That and I am going to buy some more mature roos to look after the girls as much as possible.
tony123
Platinum Member
Toro, sorry to hear about your loss's. I should be more dilegent than I am. I guess we have to learn the hard way.
On a brighter note: I have my first egg! It's from one of the Americanas. Here it is on the left next to a store bought large egg.
We're all excited. The kids said, "can we eat the chick dad?" lol Kids are so open to things if you teach them. Many people hide where our foods come from. I don't want to hide it from them. It's a beautiful thing. And I can already tell that the seeds we're planting are shaping them.
On a brighter note: I have my first egg! It's from one of the Americanas. Here it is on the left next to a store bought large egg.
We're all excited. The kids said, "can we eat the chick dad?" lol Kids are so open to things if you teach them. Many people hide where our foods come from. I don't want to hide it from them. It's a beautiful thing. And I can already tell that the seeds we're planting are shaping them.
