American Gamefowl

[roosterhavoc]

I don't mind a broody being protective especially towards other birds and animals, but most of my broodies, but not all, will call their chicks right over to me. That may just be more of a handling thing as I have received hens from other people that just don't seem to get that comfortable with me being around their chicks. Nothing wrong with them, just not that accepting. I have one hen like that right now that I used as a surrogate, just because of timing. Her chicks are really friendly, but often when they come to get treats, she calls them away.

All my hens will bring their chicks right over after a week or two. Now when I’m filling feeders and waterers the hens will just march right by me with chicks in tow. For that first week or so no way. I want them to be super protective. I’m letting them raise them. I prefer they keep they’re natural instincts.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

Heck Del's told me he's had hens of his steal other hens of different breeds chicks and kill or almost kill the other momma. I'll take protective momma's over non protective both the black an mug we're fine before biddies. I have zero complaints about either.

Now my comment about my kelso is the white hen is a great momma also protective hints why she's doing a fine job raising biddies but not as protective as the other 2. My point is I've had man fighters and two of these pullets go from super sweet to flog ya in the face the next second without chicks or even close that was my point about these kelso that I'd like to breed away from and think I choose the right daughter to breed on this season.

 

[B123]

My point is I've had man fighters and two of these pullets go from super sweet to flog ya in the face the next second without chicks or even close that was my point about these kelso that I'd like to breed away from and think I choose the right daughter to breed on this season.

And some of them had spurs too? A friend of mine, who also raises games, will ask why do we raise these crazy chickens?

 

[SOHC-FTW]

2 out of 4 had spurs I bred a spured Wheaton under the cock.

 

[roosterhavoc]

And some of them had spurs too? A friend of mine, who also raises games, will ask why do we raise these crazy chickens?

I think you would have to define crazy chickens. A chicken that one person deems too mean or aggressive the next may not at all. I have no problem culling flighty, nervous hens just because they’re a pain to deal with. That same hen usually does extremely well free range instead of being penned. Same goes for roosters. Some roosters would do just fine running loose. Obviously that’s not an option for most of us since it would just lead to problems with the penned males.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I believe most chicken issues regardless whether it’s gamefowl or not has a lot to do with breeding but how they’re kept and handled as well. I can’t hardly blame a chicken that doesn’t t do well in a relatively small pen.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

I didn't breed the daughter I picked because of what she looks like or that she has spurs. She started out being pecked on before rangin then that shortly stopped but she was still below her sisters come fall she fought off some kind of pray bird and come winter she had whooped everyone of her sisters and two hens that messed with her they brought it she then had more than they bargained for. She was real nice in hand feels great body wise and didn't tend to go batshit in the snap of a finger she has good instincts to boot. Those are some of the reasons as to why I picked her.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

I don't really pick anything as far as aggressiveness goes aggressive doesn't equal gameness or the best suiter, but if I watch I'm bound to learn and I've watched. I let Havoc's black aka the crower range for awhile as well had I wanted another hen I'm sure he would have helped me out.

That being said I treat them all as individuals and the 3 lines I look forward to breeding are all different from the next.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I just let this hen out with her two chicks. If I tried to pick up her chicks she’d unload on me. I don’t view that as a bad thing at all. To me their instincts are in tact and they haven’t been totally domesticated into believing the “chicken keeper” is totally in charge. If I wanted laying hens that’s what I’d have.

 

[Texicano]