Quote:
Originally Posted by
Angiebubs 
How do you all add roosters to a established flock? Unless roos are raised together, the only way to add a roo is in a separate pen right?
Another question for the experts....so when you mix two different breeds, the babies (1st generation of pure breed parents) will usually look like one or the other of the parents? I was reading above that roos carry 2 barred genes and hens 1? So for example, I have BR roos-if I mixed these with pure bred _____ the babies would for sure have barring? And when the babies come along-best bet is to sell them as day old chicks to prevent getting stuck with roos? What, if any, breeds can you tell hens/roos from a young age? Thought I read recently on this thread about wing fethers coming in brown for hens and black for roos with a particular breed?
And question #3 (is there a limit?): If you let a broody hen raise chicks....how much can you handle them? Do they need to be seperated from the rest of the flock? And if so till what age?
I thought you were trying to get rid of your roos? 
Anyway, if the flock has no roos, you can just toss them in after a 30 day quarantine. If you have a roo already, add the new one in a separate pen so they can see each other for a while. When you do finally let him mingle in the flock, try to do it outside free range or in the run, and if it's warm enough, have a hose ready just in case. 
I know nothing of chicken genetics yet, but I did read that you can sex Dominique chicks. I cut & pasted this but don't know why it is so tiny or why I can't make it larger.
Oh well. Squint, you old foggies. 
"The Dominique pullet has a distinct spot on it's head and a shadow on the front of the feet & legs. The cockerel has a fuzzy head spot and no foot/leg shadow".
I never heard of the brown or black feathering stuff. There is a video on how to feather sex chicks that are 3 or 4 days old or less on youtube.
As for chicks being raised by a broody, I have mine in the house
so they see us all the time, and I think they are way more calm and people friendly than the chicks I raised without a broody. But that is just my experience. I'm sure there are countless other opinions out there. It just depends on the circumstances.
If you have a broody, it is best to give her her own area so she will not be pestered, and to keep others from potentially harming the chicks. Adults will kill babies. I keep mine separate until they are roughly the same size as the adults so they stand a chance in a pecking order fight.
Do you have a broody????? Or are you just looking to start breeding yours? 