Put the eggs in the incubator, when they hatch, see if you can get step-momma chicken to take them, putting her in a nesting box and sneaking them under her seems to be popular. I've never tried.
chickenobsessed, I'm really happy for you. Make sure you watch your adoptive momma chicken, I have heard they will not take babies if they don't want them. Be ready with a backup plan, look into brooders you could use in case she does not want them.
To intruders, or other roosters, that's their job. You have to keep them in line, I've only had my roo try to "buck" at me one time... I kicked him... he didn't do it again. We have a good relationship. I used to have a roo that was a bantam (Napoleon complex), and he always bucked at me... I...
at Katie! When my girl Daisy was hurt, she couldn't use her leg well, but she was okay with the flock. One of my roos would go pick up table scraps and bring them over and set them down in front of her so she wouldn't miss out! Made me cry it was sooo cute!
Fertilized eggs do not taste any different than regular eggs. Roosters will watch over the girls and signal for danger, even if it is something trying to get into the run or coop. The downside is that they do (usually) crow and make noise... which despite my unwillingness, you do get used to...
The dark meat is going to be dark any time you cook it, much darker than walmart chicken, lol! It scared me the first time I saw it, "Is that okay?" I'm not sure why, but it is almost milk chocolate colored, maybe the exercise that our chickens get vs. walmart chickens. When you get a young...