I had 6/6 chicks and ducklings brooding together; they were 10 weeks old. Just going out to free range with my established flock during the day, in a separate brooding coop/run at night. Early this morning we were hit by a fox and her kits (caught on trail cam) and lost 3 ducks and 5 chicks...
I talked to his "new mom" this morning; she wants him badness and all. She has a lot of hens and a couple Roos and thinks he will fall in line with her much larger flock. She's a friend of mine and has been trying to help all along so she knows what she is getting. I offered freezer camp but she...
So I put the big dog crate in the run this morning in the corner so it is protected on two sides and places my 10 week old Brahmas in there so they can "see but not touch" for a week or so. Well Randal (who is going to his new home this weekend) managed to grab one and pull her head and neck...
Yes, sorry! I meant after randal is gone, integrate the 10 weekers to my flock while the new roo is in quarantine by himself for a few weeks. That way the new babies are in with the hens for a few weeks before the new roo arrives. Thank you for the info!
So a homesteader friend of mine offered to take Randal; she has no kids and plenty of hens for him. She offered me her 2 year old Welsummer roo as a trade and says he very docile and has never been agreesive towards any children or adults. I'm thinking I will get Randal out and try to introduce...
Thank you so much for the advice! I was thinking to use my big dog crate in the run during the day and then with 2 of the most docile girls in the evening/night. I guess I will try again in the spring with 2 roos and see what happens. I am getting good at culling and processing roos at this...
Sorry so many questions; how do I tell which hens to put with them? I am around them consistently but Randal seems to be in charge, hard to tell pecking order of the hens. there are 2 of the hens that seem to really want to be bullies towards them; not sure if that means they are lower or higher...
oddly enough "Randal" is the chicken in my profile pic; this makes me sad! I've culled other roosters but this one was my fav. Is there any hope of a rooster actually being good with kids? And there's no rehab for this behavior? I don't want to risk my child getting seriously injured as he...
Hey all! To preface; this is my first time raising chickens! I have a batch of 7 month olds: 6 hens and 1 roo. Up until about a month ago, everything was fine. Now, however, my roo has started flogging my 3 year old and now my 5 year old as well. We have tried the "shaming" of picking him up and...
Good morning all! I am a new chicken owner and just lost my first gal to a fox. I am looking for advice so I'll start with the back story!
We have 8 chickens that we raised; 2-3 are looking like Roos. We have a nice and secure coop and run; completely enclosed, buried wire and a 2 foot wire...
Hello all! I adopted a new lady after losing one to a fox while free ranging (devistating!) Wanting opinions on what she may be, I'm sure a mix but thank you for the help!
Thanks! It's Gladys that has me stumped! Here's a better pic of her but the lighting is making her look far more red than she is. Her comb is as tan as the hens is