ARE These Ameraucana

[sharihumpy]

I have another question.... Are cockerels usually really pushy? Just seems like my cockerel likes push all the other chicks around.

y

 

[ochochicas]

I have another question.... Are cockerels usually really pushy? Just seems like my cockerel likes push all the other chicks around.

y

My two cockerels have been fighting since they were a week old. They sometimes try to fight with the pullets, but the pullets will say, "Oh look, food!" And then walk away to eat. The boys have been insanely more aggressive than the pullets. Maybe just my experience, but they certainly do behave differently. Now, at 6 weeks they are both crowing.

 

[sharihumpy]

Do chickens lay a good amount if eggs after the mulch? I was reading that people cull them at this point? Should I replace my chickens at this point? I'm a newbie at this and I just want to do this right.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Do chickens lay a good amount if eggs after the mulch? I was reading that people cull them at this point? Should I replace my chickens at this point? I'm a newbie at this and I just want to do this right.

Do you mean moult? When they lose their feathers?

If so, then chickens lay fewer eggs each successive "laying year." The first laying year starts at around six months and goes to 18 months old. The next laying year ends 12 months after that, at 30 months old. The first laying year the birds will lay the best they ever will. The next laying year they'll lay 20-30% fewer eggs, and then the next laying year they'll lay 20-30% fewer eggs than that amount. Finally, they may get to the point that they lay an egg or two a month, if that.

There is no "right way" to replacing backyard hens. If you are raising chickens commercially for eggs, then you would replace your birds in their second laying year right as they go into their fall moult. But for backyard birds, there is no right choice. Some people replace birds in their second laying year, and some people keep birds until their natural deaths and have pet chickens that lay no eggs. And some people replace at some point in between. What you choose to do is based on how you feel about your birds and whether they are pets first or food sources first. You also have to realize that a non-laying hen eats and takes up as much space as a laying hen, so you need lots of space if you're going to keep all your non-laying hens around AND get new birds each year so that you still have eggs.

Personally, we get rid of most birds during the fall of their second year, right after our new pullets begin to lay eggs. We keep pet hens (just three right now) until they die and broody hens until they quit wanting to brood eggs. We mostly sell our older hens rather than kill them, as I don't find the teeny bit of meat I get to be worth the work and mess of processing them. But that's just me, and lots of people LOVE stewed laying hen.

Also, I would sell a hen right BEFORE a moult rather than after. She won't be laying eggs for weeks during and after her moult, so why keep her and feed her through a moult if I'm going to sell or eat her any way? The down side of this is she won't look as nice to sell, but aged hens are only worth around $3/each here so it doesn't really matter.

 

[sharihumpy]

I don't know why I said mulch lol. I meant moult. Well you have helped me alot thank you so much. I guess I'll figure out what I'll be doing with them when the time comes.

I did get 4 more babies today I think they are call Plymouth Rock.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I don't know why I said mulch lol. I meant moult. Well you have helped me alot thank you so much. I guess I'll figure out what I'll be doing with them when the time comes.

I did get 4 more babies today I think they are call Plymouth Rock.

Glad to help. Barred Rocks are lovely birds. I think you'll enjoy them.

 

[aoxa]

Glad to help. Barred Rocks are lovely birds. I think you'll enjoy them.

My all time favourite breed. I have tried a lot, but nothing has beat the calm disposition, rock solid egg production and wonderful appearance (IMO) of the Barred Plymouth Rock The Buckeyes come in second for me now.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

My all time favourite breed. I have tried a lot, but nothing has beat the calm disposition, rock solid egg production and wonderful appearance (IMO) of the Barred Plymouth Rock The Buckeyes come in second for me now.

Wow aoxa, look at that amazing barring! I'm jealous. My BR are hatchery birds. I like them a lot, but also know they could be way cooler.

 

[Melabella]

Wow aoxa, look at that amazing barring! I'm jealous. My BR are hatchery birds. I like them a lot, but also know they could be way cooler.

Yes, aoxa's BR's are on my list of must havs one day. They are so incredibly l gorgeous, I just wish she could ship me eggs or day olds here in the US!


MB

 

[aoxa]

Wow aoxa, look at that amazing barring! I'm jealous. My BR are hatchery birds. I like them a lot, but also know they could be way cooler.

Yes, aoxa's BR's are on my list of must havs one day. They are so incredibly l gorgeous, I just wish she could ship me eggs or day olds here in the US!


MB

Thanks guys. One day I'm hoping to share my line with a friend in NY. She will then be able to provide direct links from my lines

I love them. Jagger in the picture is the most tame rooster I have ever owned. He comes when he's called and picks treats out of my hand for his girls. He has saved so many of his kiddos from hawks. Not all, because some were too stupid to take cover.. but he is the best.