‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch’

[Sissyhen]

Never been more true! We had 4 hens setting on a total of 30 eggs, 2 hatched. One just passed. So we have one chick for weeks of less egg production. One hen is sitting on a new batch (she is the veteran and we hope for better results) but we were hoping for a good flock rotation and now I guess we should have remembered the old saying.
We had to ‘retire’ our rooster after yet another attack, and hope to keep a roo out of the hatchings.

 

[-Isla June-]

I am so sorry. Better luck next time

 

[Sissyhen]

I am so sorry. Better luck next time

Thanks, last fall we had good success (vet hen) but the hens were just too jumpy this time I think and kept leaving the nest.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I will point out if your male was causing human issues, I would avoid keeping his sons. Most likely they will all share his aggression

 

[pinewoodacres]

I will point out if your male was causing human issues, I would avoid keeping his sons. Most likely they will all share his aggression

That objectively seems true but subjectively has not always been the case for me. My best rooster was out of a sire I had to dispatch for jumping the gate and chasing my kids. The two sons of my good one are jerks like their granddad. I think most roosters have a level of human wariness.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

That objectively seems true but subjectively has not always been the case for me. My best rooster was out of a sire I had to dispatch for jumping the gate and chasing my kids. The two sons of my good one are jerks like their granddad. I think most roosters have a level of human wariness.

You've had better luck than me evidently

 

[Sissyhen]

I will point out if your male was causing human issues, I would avoid keeping his sons. Most likely they will all share his aggression

I am keeping this in mind, but from the father’s batch we had two roo’s and had to dispatch the gentle one when this guy broke his hip in a fight. Hoping they get the other gene and are still good at rounding up the hens and defending them (the good qualities of said roo). He was raised under a mean roo so we are hoping the lack of bad influence helps out a little. If he doesn’t know he can chase the kids maybe he won’t?
Also he’ll probably have the gentler hen breed’s blood mixed in!

 

[Sissyhen]

That objectively seems true but subjectively has not always been the case for me. My best rooster was out of a sire I had to dispatch for jumping the gate and chasing my kids. The two sons of my good one are jerks like their granddad. I think most roosters have a level of human wariness.

That is good to know!