Here's the results of introducing a single hen into a stressful situation with an over-eager rooster. Everyone in the flock (actually, EXCEPT for the new hen) caught a respiratory illness! Duramycin-10 antibiotics to the rescue! This hen became so ill I brought her into the house under a heat lamp and force-fed her. I didn't think she was going to make it. Now, nearly 5 1/2 years later, she is still going strong as the leader of the flock! September 2011

Here's the results of introducing a single hen into a stressful situation with an over-eager rooster. Everyone in the flock (actually, EXCEPT for the new hen) caught a respiratory illness! Duramycin-10 antibiotics to the rescue! This hen became so ill I brought her into the house under a heat lamp and force-fed her. I didn't think she was going to make it. Now, nearly 5 1/2 years later, she is still going strong as the leader of the flock! September 2011

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  • Date added Jan 28, 2017
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Tips: 1. Before making a purchase, know the difference between a bantam hen and a young large-fowl pullet. (This new chicken was a nearly-mature bantam.) 2. Never add a single chicken to a flock -- always introduce it with buddies to keep things less stressful for the newbie (especially when your young, eager rooster realizes she is a bantam hen and not a young pullet). 3. Never add new chickens to the flock without first quarantining them for several weeks at a good distance from your other hens. Then gradually move them closer together before fully introducing them with no wire in between. You see, chickens from different flocks can carry diseases to which the others have not built up immunity. They may all look healthy, but the stress of throwing them together suddenly may get their immune systems down to where they catch illnesses from each other. (Especially when there is extra stress from your large rooster endlessly terrorizing the tiny new bantam you thought was too young to mate.) SEE THE NEXT PHOTO FOR THE RESULTS OF US THROWING THIS LITTLE HEN INTO THE YARD BY HERSELF. September 2011

Tips: 1. Before making a purchase, know the difference between a bantam hen and a young large-fowl pullet. (This new chicken was a nearly-mature bantam.) 2. Never add a single chicken to a flock -- always introduce it with buddies to keep things less stressful for the newbie (especially when your young, eager rooster realizes she is a bantam hen and not a young pullet). 3. Never add new chickens to the flock without first quarantining them for several weeks at a good distance from your other hens. Then gradually move them closer together before fully introducing them with no wire in between. You see, chickens from different flocks can carry diseases to which the others have not built up immunity. They may all look healthy, but the stress of throwing them together suddenly may get their immune systems down to where they catch illnesses from each other. (Especially when there is extra stress from your large rooster endlessly terrorizing the tiny new bantam you thought was too young to mate.) SEE THE NEXT PHOTO FOR THE RESULTS OF US THROWING THIS LITTLE HEN INTO THE YARD BY HERSELF. September 2011

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  • Date added Jan 28, 2017
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In my opinion, after 5 years of raising chickens, it is not worth it to keep an especially mean "demon rooster" because he will not change. This minuscule man was a mix of two of the reportedly sweetest varieties of chickens (cochin and silkie), but he was pure evil. I tried every trick in the book to calm him, with no effect. Usually, we can sweeten a rooster by picking him up, talking gently to him, petting him on the head, and carrying him around for a while. It's almost like it embarrasses him so much in front of the girls that he will steer clear of all humans for several weeks. ha ha Not this little guy! He would crow while I was carrying him with my hand over his face, when he wasn't grabbing a chunk out of my arm... January 2016

In my opinion, after 5 years of raising chickens, it is not worth it to keep an especially mean "demon rooster" because he will not change. This minuscule man was a mix of two of the reportedly sweetest varieties of chickens (cochin and silkie), but he was pure evil. I tried every trick in the book to calm him, with no effect. Usually, we can sweeten a rooster by picking him up, talking gently to him, petting him on the head, and carrying him around for a while. It's almost like it embarrasses him so much in front of the girls that he will steer clear of all humans for several weeks. ha ha Not this little guy! He would crow while I was carrying him with my hand over his face, when he wasn't grabbing a chunk out of my arm... January 2016

  • Media owner 260906
  • Date added Jan 26, 2017
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2

Learning Curve

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This is where I'll share our biggest mistakes and successes. I don't want you to learn things the hard way like we did! Click on the photos to read stories about them. Feel free to share any advice you have in the photo comments. I'm always eager to learn more!
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