Yes that is a good idea. We only have two adult hens at the moment, and we let them out for a few hours everyday- and they really love it! I would definitely like to let them out a bit more in the future.
Thanks for that. Of course, lots of people offered to take our pullets (that was before we knew we only had one) but we found no one to give the Roos a good home. I’m hoping this will work out- your story gives me hopeFor a while we had FIVE brothers and two hens, and they all lived for about six months together, typically with no fights. We were able to rehome them one at a time and now they all have their own flocks to love. But they did fine together while they were here... although we kept the rowdiest onewhich we didn’t know at first, but now realize he was the best man for the job. Lots of people breed that out of Roos but I think there’s something to be said about a rowdy boy, he does his job SO well!
. Ours were hatched in a school, so they have been handled from day 1 and they are so sweet- I’d like to give them a chance to cooperate peacefully with each other before we think about getting rid of any.It’s definitely possible. I know a guy who keeps hundreds of chickens and he lets them all hang out together, boys and girls alike and he said he’s only ever had to keep two roosters separated. It’s also much better odds they’ll get along when they’re hatchmates. But I would keep that poor girl away from them or they’ll overbreed her and tear her up pretty good. With no hen in the pen a group of fellas can be awesome. Maybe even if you had one living at the school... they’re EXCELLENT mouse/snake/bug killers better than cats even are!Thanks for that. Of course, lots of people offered to take our pullets (that was before we knew we only had one) but we found no one to give the Roos a good home. I’m hoping this will work out- your story gives me hope
Thank you so much, I was starting to get worried for a while but now I think I will be able to make it work. I will definitely separate the pullet- what age will we have to move her at? A rooster in the school may be a good idea (if they are friendly enough), as the students are part of the reason we want to try keep them- they would be devastated if they found out something happened to one of the chicks
.It’s a good idea to always let maybe one of the boys out with your hens if they’re free ranging. Then he can get some hen time and protect them in the yard. Free ranging hens with no boy looking out could be sitting ducks, and if there’s a boy out there with them he would sacrifice his own life to protect them if a predator came on the property
Yes, we have a 7 week old BCM and I’m hoping to keep him with the hens (we will have 4 hens by then) when he’s a little older. It’s amazing what a rooster will do to protect his flock!
Oh I bet he’s a beauty!
Yes, we sort of got him by accident, but he is gorgeous. He seems to have a good temperament so far, so fingers crossed he will be a good rooster
I know this sounds nuts... but when my roo is being rowdy I play classical music and it mesmerizes him. The song lakme (the flower opera) seems to work best. Now when I play it they know I’m coming and run to me from wherever they are
and when he lunges me I say “No” in a stern voice and he backs off. Also the first time they see you help if there’s a predator or something circling like a big bird... they worship you hahahahaha. I threw a rock at a buzzard and now he knows I’m on his team lol. Roosters are my favorite birds
Omg that’s so funny about the music I definitely will try that with my rooster when he’s olderI know this sounds nuts... but when my roo is being rowdy I play classical music and it mesmerizes him. The song lakme (the flower opera) seems to work best. Now when I play it they know I’m coming and run to me from wherever they are
. He started trying to crow the other morning, so he’s definitely a roo- it was very cute tho! We have never kept roosters before so I don’t really know what to expect, but this thread has really helped!
