1st time chicken guy

You can't just stick chicks under hens unless the hens are already broody. Broodiness is hormonal and if those hormones haven't kicked in, the hens may kill the chicks. Why game hens in particular?

 

I would get the chicks and keep them in a small area with a heat light on them.

I have raised day old chicks for many years and I keep mine in a box with plenty of (chick starter) feed and clean water.

once they out grow the box i move them to a small area still with the light on them. I switch them to grower feed.

and then once the cold weather is gone and and there a few months old I let them free range but they still have access to their coop. I make sure i lock them up in their coop every night so coyotes dont get them. After the first egg is layed i switch them to layer feed (16% protein).

raising chicks is not hard at all as long as you DONT let them get cold when they're young. one chill can cause death.

any questions just let me know!

 

As Speckledhen already stated - you can't buy hens and then chicks and stick the chicks under the hens; the hens won't take of them and they may kill them.

A hen has to go broody to raise chicks. Nobody knows what hen will go broody and when a hen will go broody. Certain breeds are more prone to go broody (like Silkies) and some breeds almost never, if ever, go broody.

I am wondering why he wants fighting hens?? If it's so they are aggressive enough to protect themselves while free ranging then what he really needs is a good Rooster to protect the hens. Some hens will attack dogs or cats or such but most will run for their lives when threatened ... let's face it they are near the bottom of the food chain.

And, even a good Rooster can't fight off some large dogs and some wild animals; even though he may try.

As far as free ranging is concerned. That's, in my opinion, the best way to go with chickens. However, many people just don't have that option due to circumstances and even those who do free range almost always lock up their chickens in a secure house at night to protect them from predators. Free ranging chickens are far more likely to be killed by predators than chickens in a fenced enclosure.

It would help us help your dad if we knew what his purpose for the chickens are. Does he just want eggs? Does he want meat birds? Or?

 

Some people just have to 'learn' the hard way. Unfortunately, in this case it is going to result in the unnecessary death of little creatures that do feel pain and cold.

Killing chickens for food, or 'culling' them humanely is one thing - neglecting them to death out of a refusal to admit you are wrong is criminal, in my opinion.

Hopefully at least your dad will watch the chickens and the babies long enough and have sense enough to realize it's not working BEFORE all the chicks suffer a horrible death either being pecked to death, or being chilled to death.

Sad.

 

If you look at the tippy top of the forum page (the page you are reading this on...) there are links up there.

I'd recommend you check out the 'learning center' one - all kinds of info on raising chicks, etc.

Also, there is a coop design link with lots of great pics and plans for coops.

Good luck.

 

Is cock-fighting illegal in your state?

 

cock fighting should be illegal everywhere. i dont think thats what they plan to do with these birds, though