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Stambering

Stambering

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Greetings all!

I'm new to Backyard Chickens and semi-new to keeping chickens in my backyard.:) I've had as small flock now for about a year, and I'm now down to three hens. Heading out to our local feed store in just a few minutes to let my kiddos pick out a couple new ladies to join our tiny flock.
We love our birds, we love the eggs, and we look forward to growing our flock. We live in the Dallas area and just purchased a small farm in Sachse (a town near Dallas) TX and we have big dreams for our birds. So excited to have a place to ask questions as we grow our flock and get into the adventure of roosters, broody hens, mama hens and chicks, and selling farm fresh eggs. I still have a LOT to learn.

First...I need a rooster and I need a NICE one. I have three children 3 years old and under who will be around the chickens a lot. We've been through a Rhode Island red rooster who has attacked my son a few times out at my parents farm, and I don't think I like him (although he's free for the taking along with his ladies. My parents recently moved and we're inheriting the flock). So, is there hope for him or should I make him into chicken soup and look for a bird with manners?

And...right now for ladies I have two leghorns and one mixed barnyard bantam/lacewing/something and none are of a broody nature, never have been. What breed is going to be best for brooding and hatching chicks?

Thanks all!
 
The best you can do is to teach your children to move slowly when around the chickens. Predators move fast and the rooster mistakes running children for predators.

I've had over 25 breeds and the best breed I've found for roosters are penedesencas. Very aloof.

Oh, and welcome.
 
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Welcome to BYC! I wouldn't trust that rooster around your kids, unless he's going to be in a coop where they don't have access.
 
Hello! Welcome to BYC!
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I wouldn't trust an aggressive rooster, especially around kids. I have not had a good experience with rhode island red roosters at all (the hens aren't my favorite either!) Good luck to you & your family!

 
Orpingtons, Cochins, Silkies are among the most broody breeds.
Back to the Penedesencas. I have raised Blacks for a while and currently have 2 broody. I had 9 pullets in a flock and within a month of starting to lay, 7 went broody on a community nest. They lay a very nice large dark egg, one of the best foraging breeds, extremely wary and fleet of foot so they evade daytime predators well. As a Mediterranean breed, they should handle your heat well. The breeders I know all rave about their heat hardiness. As a benefit, their meat is famous in Spain.
Since they avoid humans like the plague, I can't imagine one attacking a human - small fast moving children are another matter.
 
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If the rooster is already after you child, he isn't going to turn nice. Freezer camp for him. There are so many worthwhile roosters begging for homes - there is no reason on earth to put up with a bad one. Check out your craigs list, go to "Where am I, where are you," to find your state thread.- you likely will find people in your area who may want to place a rooster or two.

When you have 20 posts you can participate in the Buy,sell,trade, forum on BYC - there are always roosters available, some very good quality for good prices or even free.
 

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