Breed help? In over my head AGAIN.

[campingshaws]

They sure are pretty! 

Thanks! They were very standoffish this morning (after being downright mean last night) but by lunch time they were lining up to eat out of my hand and they looooooooove having their feathers stroked, which is more than I can say for my other girls. :/

They're my new favorite breed! I can't wait for their quarantine to be up so I can see them stretch their legs in the sunshine.

 

[SweetSilver]

Quote:
If your kids live to handle the hens, then even a sweet rooster will be hard pressed to not go on the offensive. I speak from experience. I would not get a rooster on purpose with little kids if handling the birds is what they want to do. I've even had a hen get defensive when my girls were very small. They are not so small now, but still like handling and "showing" the hens. We have roosters now because we bought bantams for show, and this batch is fairly calm, but it's touch and go. They've learned to not intervene in cock fights or mating, that helps. But that kind of behavior can be very upsetting for kids-- to the point of tears. Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on that since you mentioned it.

 

[CharterChick]

Quote:
If your kids live to handle the hens, then even a sweet rooster will be hard pressed to not go on the offensive. I speak from experience. I would not get a rooster on purpose with little kids if handling the birds is what they want to do. I've even had a hen get defensive when my girls were very small. They are not so small now, but still like handling and "showing" the hens. We have roosters now because we bought bantams for show, and this batch is fairly calm, but it's touch and go. They've learned to not intervene in cock fights or mating, that helps. But that kind of behavior can be very upsetting for kids-- to the point of tears. Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on that since you mentioned it.

Good point! My daughter does 4 H and the kid that picked up the rooster also does 4H so they both know about chickens and their behavior. Education with small children is key so that everyone can live happily!

 

[campingshaws]

Good point! My daughter does 4 H and the kid that picked up the rooster also does 4H so they both know about chickens and their behavior. Education with small children is key so that everyone can live happily!

Thanks y'all! I would have never even considered that. Yes my girl LOVES handling the hens; our main flock is very young and small. I let her hold one of the speckled hens this morning and she said "Thanks mama. This feels so much better!" (She got in trouble at school and hasn't been able to hold chickens for a whole week!)

So, I think we'll continue to be rooless for a bit longer unless it looks like we need the protection.

Newbie question, but how do people manage to have dogs and cats that don't bother chickens?

 

[CharterChick]

I have cats that are feral barn kitties and they could care less about the chickens I have a dog that just wants to know if I'll throw the ball but then there's Mikey. No matter what I do he loves rattling chicken as much as I do! Lol So he gets to wear a muzzle when they are out.