Ask The Moonshiner Anything!

[z3lda3]

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Please tell me leghorns roosters IF that’s what he is..are decent roosters. Non aggressive, treats the hen well? I think you said your boys were great?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Please tell me leghorns roosters IF that’s what he is..are decent roosters. Non aggressive, treats the hen well? I think you said your boys were great?

I've never had an aggressive Leghorn rooster.
I don't baby or cuddle them though and I think how they're raised has a lot to do with how they turn out.
Some of them can be overzealous with the girls but the girls seem to handle it well enough. I've kept pairs, trios etc and they've done fine so....

 

[The Moonshiner]

What do you think is the best flock size? Total number of chickens, and the # of individual pens?

I'm probably not the best person to ask.
If I was just into having a backyard flock for eggs or pets I'd probably have around a dozen and one coop.
For me right now the best number is as many as I can afford to feed. Breeder pens.... 1 rooster and 5 or 6 hens do well.

 

[z3lda3]

I've never had an aggressive Leghorn rooster.
I don't baby or cuddle them though and I think how they're raised has a lot to do with how they turn out.
Some of them can be overzealous with the girls but the girls seem to handle it well enough. I've kept pairs, trios etc and they've done fine so....

Ha all my boys are overzealous with the hens.
Overzealous:
adjective
1. showing too much energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
And let me tell you, they are most definitely enthusiastic about the happening lol.

 

[2ndTink]

I'm probably not the best person to ask.
If I was just into having a backyard flock for eggs or pets I'd probably have around a dozen and one coop.
For me right now the best number is as many as I can afford to feed. Breeder pens.... 1 rooster and 5 or 6 hens do well.

So, you're saying that having 100+ is perfectly acceptable as long as they are well cared for?

 

[Chookwagn]

So, you're saying that having 100+ is perfectly acceptable as long as they are well cared for?

Absolutely!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Ha all my boys are overzealous with the hens.
Overzealous:
adjective
1. showing too much energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
And let me tell you, they are most definitely enthusiastic about the happening lol.

Ya. I just lately started setting up a few breeding groups. I was thinking about how many days I should wait before collecting eggs.
I put all the boys in the different pens and then started adding the girls. I don't think some of those girls even hit the ground before.... well, ya.
Then when I got back with another girl or two the rooster would be right up front waiting. Ridiculous. I figured I could start collecting after a day or two and be good to go.

 

[The Moonshiner]

So, you're saying that having 100+ is perfectly acceptable as long as they are well cared for?

Ya. If you're into several breeds or projects and into breeding and moving forward with them it isn't hard to get to 100+ birds.

You asked # of pens. I tried to find a pic of what I wished I had but couldn't find one very similar.
I'd like to have like a shed with pens running down both sides and an aisle down the middle. Covered runs off the outside, both sides.
Then when I needed to expand be able take the back wall out, add on then replace until the next time. I'm afraid mine would end up 300' deep

 

[z3lda3]

Ya. I just lately started setting up a few breeding groups. I was thinking about how many days I should wait before collecting eggs.
I put all the boys in the different pens and then started adding the girls. I don't think some of those girls even hit the ground before.... well, ya.
Then when I got back with another girl or two the rooster would be right up front waiting. Ridiculous. I figured I could start collecting after a day or two and be good to go.

I’ve watched my primary do his thing at LEAST 15 times a day, and that’s just what I seen! I’ve got enough hens, so he can spread his affection around but Jeezy creezy!
And I’ve got a bachelor flock with 4 boys, that do perfectly together. No fighting or anything. I made a ghastly mistake. I took my broody outside to use the bathroom and stretch her legs, and I thought, well I just shoot through the boys coop, it’s faster. O.M.G the boys lost their minds! I had to shove my poor hen under my shirt to get out of there. Overzealous is an understatement.

 

[The Moonshiner]

well I just shoot through the boys coop, it’s faster. O.M.G the boys lost their minds! I had to shove my poor hen under my shirt to get out of there. Overzealous is an understatement.