Terri E
Songster
Hello Everyone,
My name is Teresa and am new to this site. In searching for ideas and insights for my new found interests, BYC has always been among the top of it. In reading before signing up, it has helped me in some areas.
I am originally born in San Antonio, TX , moved to Dallas county area and now found myself (still in TX) in an area between Huntsville and Livingston, were there is very limited service connection.
The Cabin is what we call it but is far from it. We are currently buying this 'cabin' and with it, the previous owners have (in my opinion) abandoned their flock. Which I have adopted- four hens (2 Black Australorp and 2 Pilgrims) and a nasty Rooster (Black Australorp) who will attack you if you are not aware of him. Even sneak attacks. However, before finding myself in rescuing them, my husband had bought me four chicks. Two Ameraucana and two Polish. I, then found a Rooster (Ameraucana) who needed a home which I gladly took for my small growing flock.
Now finding myself in having two different flocks, I found myself not being able to treat them the same. Being that my adopted ones are free range and I do not know how much older they are. My very own are not free range.
I know that the rooster I took in is about 1 1/2 yrs. While my little ladies are about 5 months. One of the Ameraucana just lay her first egg on Friday 8/26/2016. Just that, I knew they will soon start and was trying to find a nesting box for her. Unfortunately, I was way too late for it. But excited all the same.
Now, the older ones are constantly laying however, they are laying in the same nesting box and they have 8 to choose from. I have collected eggs except for the first batch in the hopes that they hatch. Being sporadic, am not sure when they will hatch however can only assume never since it is now a month and during reading it takes 21 days.
I am conflicted. From reading Brooding hens will stay on the nest, but these older hens do not. They come and go, come and go. each dropping an egg or two in the same nesting box. If one of them is in the box, and another wants to lay her egg. She will push the other off to do so. I wish I can be like most that have a friend (which I don't have one around here or even one that is like me with chickens) that can help in incubating to hatch them. I am at a dead end on this matter but everyday I still keep a watchful eye and maybe enclosing them in the coop will make them stay on the nest? I just do not know.
One another matter, the new rooster is optimistic in his new home. I say this because he basically took of to the woods. It frightened me. Where I live there dogs without boundaries, among other chicken's worse nightmare and now mine. While in the woods, I can hear him crow. This makes me more nervous cause I do not know the neighbors and don't know if they see him may want to keep him. However, when he is silent for a while, the other one crows, which has him responding back. As if in saying, yes I am still alive and close by. He eventually did come back. Guessing he didn't not want to leave the little ladies alone.
We are currently looking for a larger coop, however, am a bit skeptical in combining both together in this one coop. Meaning this will be two roosters and a total of 8 hens. Would a new coop be a new way for them to determine whos who and what's what? Or will the pecking order still be law in the new coop. such as older hens and young ones.? Roosters may not get alone but I am not planning to have the ones I have raised and rooster to be free range as the others are very much used too.
I am a nervous mess and to be honest, a wreck.
IF anyone is able to help me understand more, it is most appreciated it. If I am not clear or confusing you, then this is exactly how I feel on the whole matter. Its like everything is happening all at one.
Thanks again,
Teresa
My name is Teresa and am new to this site. In searching for ideas and insights for my new found interests, BYC has always been among the top of it. In reading before signing up, it has helped me in some areas.
I am originally born in San Antonio, TX , moved to Dallas county area and now found myself (still in TX) in an area between Huntsville and Livingston, were there is very limited service connection.
The Cabin is what we call it but is far from it. We are currently buying this 'cabin' and with it, the previous owners have (in my opinion) abandoned their flock. Which I have adopted- four hens (2 Black Australorp and 2 Pilgrims) and a nasty Rooster (Black Australorp) who will attack you if you are not aware of him. Even sneak attacks. However, before finding myself in rescuing them, my husband had bought me four chicks. Two Ameraucana and two Polish. I, then found a Rooster (Ameraucana) who needed a home which I gladly took for my small growing flock.
Now finding myself in having two different flocks, I found myself not being able to treat them the same. Being that my adopted ones are free range and I do not know how much older they are. My very own are not free range.
I know that the rooster I took in is about 1 1/2 yrs. While my little ladies are about 5 months. One of the Ameraucana just lay her first egg on Friday 8/26/2016. Just that, I knew they will soon start and was trying to find a nesting box for her. Unfortunately, I was way too late for it. But excited all the same.
Now, the older ones are constantly laying however, they are laying in the same nesting box and they have 8 to choose from. I have collected eggs except for the first batch in the hopes that they hatch. Being sporadic, am not sure when they will hatch however can only assume never since it is now a month and during reading it takes 21 days.
I am conflicted. From reading Brooding hens will stay on the nest, but these older hens do not. They come and go, come and go. each dropping an egg or two in the same nesting box. If one of them is in the box, and another wants to lay her egg. She will push the other off to do so. I wish I can be like most that have a friend (which I don't have one around here or even one that is like me with chickens) that can help in incubating to hatch them. I am at a dead end on this matter but everyday I still keep a watchful eye and maybe enclosing them in the coop will make them stay on the nest? I just do not know.
One another matter, the new rooster is optimistic in his new home. I say this because he basically took of to the woods. It frightened me. Where I live there dogs without boundaries, among other chicken's worse nightmare and now mine. While in the woods, I can hear him crow. This makes me more nervous cause I do not know the neighbors and don't know if they see him may want to keep him. However, when he is silent for a while, the other one crows, which has him responding back. As if in saying, yes I am still alive and close by. He eventually did come back. Guessing he didn't not want to leave the little ladies alone.
We are currently looking for a larger coop, however, am a bit skeptical in combining both together in this one coop. Meaning this will be two roosters and a total of 8 hens. Would a new coop be a new way for them to determine whos who and what's what? Or will the pecking order still be law in the new coop. such as older hens and young ones.? Roosters may not get alone but I am not planning to have the ones I have raised and rooster to be free range as the others are very much used too.
I am a nervous mess and to be honest, a wreck.
IF anyone is able to help me understand more, it is most appreciated it. If I am not clear or confusing you, then this is exactly how I feel on the whole matter. Its like everything is happening all at one.
Thanks again,
Teresa
