BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[DesertChic]

I am so bummed! I went outside tonight to find one of my Bielefelder cockerels, one I planned to use as a breeder, laying dead on the ground. I think one of my NN Turken cockerels may have run him to death as they've had altercations before, but I can't be sure so we can't even process him for meat. This is the first time I've ever lost a chicken to anything and it's just breaking my heart.

 

[hellbender]

LOL! I'm glad to hear I'm in good company with habits like this. My husband and son both laugh at me for how much time I spend with the chickens. I think it actually annoyed my son for quite a while, but this summer he's started to spend more time with them too, and now it's not uncommon for me to come home from work to find him in the back yard carrying one of our favorite roosters around as he watches the other birds do their thing. There's nothing like "chicken therapy" to inject a little calm into a crazy day.

 

[ronott1]

I am so bummed! I went outside tonight to find one of my Bielefelder cockerels, one I planned to use as a breeder, laying dead on the ground. I think one of my NN Turken cockerels may have run him to death as they've had altercations before, but I can't be sure so we can't even process him for meat. This is the first time I've ever lost a chicken to anything and it's just breaking my heart.

Some cockerels and cock birds can live together. Others will not. It is a good idea to not keep them together just to be safe.

Nothing wrong with the NN--just the way they are sometimes.

 

[DesertChic]

Some cockerels and cock birds can live together. Others will not. It is a good idea to not keep them together just to be safe.

Nothing wrong with the NN--just the way they are sometimes.

I know this loss was my fault. I certainly don't fault my NN. He was just protecting his turf. But I definitely won't let the two flocks interact anymore. Lesson learned.

 

[ronott1]

I know this loss was my fault. I certainly don't fault my NN. He was just protecting his turf. But I definitely won't let the two flocks interact anymore. Lesson learned.

I am sorry you lost him!

It is a constant learning curve with chickens and breeding just adds to it some.

 

[shelbyw]

Hello! So my golden comet just started laying a few days ago, but I have only gotten 2 eggs from her since last Saturday. My rooster has started trying to breed with her and my black sex link. I know that it's normal for him around 4 1/2 months to start doing that, but I am wondering if he is why she isn't laying anymore. He will have his own little bachelor pad probably in a couple of months or so, but they are all in the same coop right now.

 

[ronott1]

Hello! So my golden comet just started laying a few days ago, but I have only gotten 2 eggs from her since last Saturday. My rooster has started trying to breed with her and my black sex link. I know that it's normal for him around 4 1/2 months to start doing that, but I am wondering if he is why she isn't laying anymore. He will have his own little bachelor pad probably in a couple of months or so, but they are all in the same coop right now.

The Golden Comet is moving into laying normally. They usually lay eggs in a cycle--the first cycle for her was two eggs. The next cycle should be longer and the eggs will be slightly bigger. After a couple of cycles, she should get into a nearly every day routine--and the eggs will continue to get larger over the next several months. She should not moult this year but laying will slow down when daylight hours go below about 12 hours per day.

Congratulations!

 

[shelbyw]

The Golden Comet is moving into laying normally. They usually lay eggs in a cycle--the first cycle for her was two eggs. The next cycle should be longer and the eggs will be slightly bigger. After a couple of cycles, she should get into a nearly every day routine--and the eggs will continue to get larger over the next several months. She should not moult this year but laying will slow down when daylight hours go below about 12 hours per day.

Congratulations!

that's cool! I didn't think of her moving into different laying cycles. Thanks

 

[ShaVirginia]

Not so concerned with color, as with disposition, and longer laying times. We found the Icelanders aggressive, and very hard to keep contained.
Just want something used to northern climates; although, we have lights & heaters for really bad weather. We handle our hens and get eggs out from under them; pick them up in the yard, etc. I prefer a mid size chicken.
Regards

 

[Our Roost]

So are you looking for suggestions or just making a statement?