Greetings from Minnesota!

lthao82

Hatching
Jan 15, 2016
6
0
9
Coon Rapids MN
I'm very excited to join ths group as I'm new to raising chickens
smile.png
I've always wanted to have some of my own that my mom wasn't going to put on the dinner table later! Hahahaha

I recently purchased 2 chickens in late September 2015 and the seller was just selling them as dinner. He told me that they were minature chickens but wasn't really sure since he has all his chickens run around together so it could possibly be a mixed with he don't even know what. Anyways, one is male and the other is female and they've doubled in size since I've bought them. He said they hatched sometime in the summer but he can't remember which month.

Anyways, just today my rooster started to crow almost all morning and through out the day, almost like he is enjoying his new found voice! My hen doesn't seem to have much of a comb and I'm not sure if she's ready to lay eggs yet. They were pretty small when I bought them. The rooster's comb grew pretty big from when I bought him.

Anyways, I guess I'm just trying to figure out when do I know they're ready to mate or if they already are (I've heard clucking going on straight for at least a minute before I went to check on them and they were just standing there when I checked). Any help or suggstions would greatly help
big_smile.png
 
If you posted photos of them we may be able to tell you what breed or at least a clue about age. If the female still has a pink comb she is probably nowhere near ready to lay.

Males on the other hand are ready to breed all the time. If you only have two birds, the male will probably overbreed your girl. A rooster can handle 10 hens, any less and they end up with feather torn or worn off, bald spots, and physical abuse to the hen. It might be better to keep him separated by wire until you have more hens for him. Or maybe you could trade him for another female.

Females are approaching point of lay, when their combs get redder and larger, they will usually squat if you touch their back., and may check out the nest box. Welcome to Backyard chickens. You might want to check out the Learning Center, it's a great first step in chicken education. Also join your state thread - just put the name in the search box near the top left of this page. It should pop up. There may be some bycers living near you .
 
First, your hen needs to start laying eggs before she will start to mate. The rooster does not make the hen start laying sooner. The miniature chickens are referred to as BANTAMS. If you can, then post some pix . Many here may be able to identify the breed. If they are mixed mutts, it is also fine. We may be able to tell which two types it looks like chicken originated from. Tell us how and where you are housing them and how you are dealing with the cold weather. Minnesota, my second home a while back. I don;t go back very often these days.( Twin cities )
AND OF COURSE
welcome-byc.gif
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - great that you have joined us. You already have top advice so I'm just saying hi.

All the best

Ct
 


Here's pictures of my chickens I have. Rooster just started to do his mating dance today but my hen is not ready yet so she'll run away. I did notice that her face and comb will become a bright red and then later become a light pink. She has been changing like that for a few days now. Is that also normal for a young hen?
 
Hi, I would be inclined to say that you may have Seramas. Are they about the size of a pigeon??? I suggest that you keep them indoors during winters and outdoor during warm weather. I had a few over the years and the one in my avatar with the kittens is a serama. I'm looking to get a hen this spring possibly.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom