Avian Flu Lockdown -- 3 Cockerels in 32 Square Feet

[3KillerBs]

Not good photos, but I was limited to either taking pictures through the wire or juggling the camera while trying to prevent escapes. Still, I think that these photos of 18-week-old Blue Australorp cockerels (who are still *slightly* smaller than adult hens of their breed), make a good illustration of how the usual space guidelines look by comparison to actual birds.

This space is 4x8 -- coop enough for 8 or run enough for 3.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Not good photos, but I was limited to either taking pictures through the wire or juggling the camera while trying to prevent escapes. Still, I think that these photos of 18-week-old Blue Australorp cockerels (who are still *slightly* smaller than adult hens of their breed), make a good illustration of how the usual space guidelines look by comparison to actual birds.

This space is 4x8 -- coop enough for 8 or run enough for 3.

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Judging by your title, do they have “the flu”?

 

[3KillerBs]

Judging by your title, do they have “the flu”?

No, not at all. I'd cull them immediately if they did.

Avian flu has been found in wild birds in North Carolina and it's been recommended to keep poultry confined away from contact with wild birds and their droppings for 30 days. So I've put my flock under lockdown.

I thought the photos made a good illustration of live birds in a common space footprint for people who are getting ready to build.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

No, not at all. I'd cull them immediately if they did.

Avian flu has been found in wild birds in North Carolina and it's been recommended to keep poultry confined away from contact with wild birds and their droppings for 30 days. So I've put my flock under lockdown.

I thought the photos made a good illustration of live birds in a common space footprint for people who are getting ready to build.

As one who learns best by visual demonstration I appreciate the pics. Good to know what a tight space looks like and how to confine birds in the face of avian flu outbreak.
It seems common sense to provide more space than the minimum under lock down to minimize fights, particularly with roos. Also the hen that bully.

 

[Sally PB]

I thought the photos made a good illustration of live birds in a common space footprint for people who are getting ready to build.

And they show that well. Thank you.

 

[3KillerBs]

As one who learns best by visual demonstration I appreciate the pics. Good to know what a tight space looks like and how to confine birds in the face of avian flu outbreak.
It seems common sense to provide more space than the minimum under lock down to minimize fights, particularly with roos. Also the hen that bully.

In Neuchickenstein I have about 23? (I keep forgetting to count them now that I've done the final weeding-out), in a 16'x16' square coop and, compared to when they get to go in and out freely they still look a little confined to my eye that's used to seeing them spread over 3 times the space.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Good job keeping them healthy and doing your part to stop the spread!!

Our cockerels are surprisingly happy confined with no ladies, especially when we give them toys and new things to climb on.

 

[Mamatomany123]

How are they temperament wise? I currently have production blues hens (mixed between RIRs and blue australorps) and they re seriously the best breed of chickens I have ever owned. When we get ore land I want to get a rooster ad a hoping that this breed is a bit easier than others. Here's 2 of my 5 girls.

 

[3KillerBs]

How are they temperament wise? I currently have production blues hens (mixed between RIRs and blue australorps) and they re seriously the best breed of chickens I have ever owned. When we get ore land I want to get a rooster ad a hoping that this breed is a bit easier than others. Here's 2 of my 5 girls.

I don't have any adult male Blue Australorps yet, but so far the cockerels, who have been raised in a mixed flock with adult hens and a senior cockerel (8-month Black Langshan), have been well-behaved. No guarantees with 18-week cockerels, of course.

I make a point of walking through them regularly -- sometimes unnecessarily rearranging run clutter, etc. so that I appear to be just doing my thing rather than coming across as challenging them -- and so far they have always yielded to me, but not panic-fled.

The hens are lovely in temperament -- calm, but active and curious. Cordon, one of my two adult hens, was a serial broody who promises to be a good mother this year. They're reliable layers of 55-60g, light brown eggs.

I don't make pets of them, but they'd squat for me and they follow me around the run as I work.

I'm still learning the genetics and breeding part, but IIRC you'd get variable results from breeding Production Blues since they're a cross.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I do think I got lucky with these 5 and that they took on the australorp temperament. I've had RiRs and they were not the greatest temperament wise. O my try some pure australorps and see how they are. I've wanted some but have to be a bit realistic that black australorps probably won't d well in our summers. I now there's blues but I currently have so any blues