Call Ducks or Bantams...Crazy Animals Around the Farm

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Ok, so the lady was/is a super nice person who loves to talk. She had the roo already for me when I got there. It was probably just easy for her to pull him out of the coop he was in. She let me look at him and then she put him in the crate for me. So, I didn't get to fully inspect him. But, feet, eyes, and nostrils looked good.
She showed me her other birds. She also has guineas. She called them up from a weed patch that she keeps just for them. I've never seen guineas in person. She said unfortunately the batch she had were all males.
She had some 4 month old pullets, but said she had not decided which to keep and was thinking of keeping the roo of that batch. She said she usually lets the roo go with a group of 4. I almost asked her for two pullets. Ha. That would have been too much for me at this time though.
I told her I would keep her number for when I need more pullets (should say want).
One thing she said was that she used DE. She also had a wholesome feed of sorts, but she probably gets it from a local mill.
Anyway, I thought it best t check and dust for critters just in case. I saw something crawling, that was enough for me - so he got dusted. Other than that, everything looks good on him.
So, I set up this pen inside the run with the intention of putting the dog crate in there. Well, there just wasn't enough room for that.
So, I took a tarp and hooked it to the top, then added a sheet of metal siding to the back side to help to keep him dry. I didn't get a pic of that though, but it will also keep it so that nothing can reach in if they can get past the hot wire.
Oh, I set him down for a bit after being dusted and before taking him out to the run. He growled at the ducks.
Also, I have already witnessed him trying to show the girls something, but I didn't see snything. He loved all of the dirt and even laid in it a bit while I was still out there. (He was in thick grass where his coop was setting previously) Oh, and he perked up to the sound of a horse and buggy. I didn't see any around his area. So that is probably something new for him.
I tried to get good shots, but he kept moving atound.
View attachment 1510956 View attachment 1510957 View attachment 1510959 View attachment 1510962 View attachment 1510964

He’s a real handsome boy! He looks healthy and it looks like your hens are interested in him. Hope all goes well when you remove the divider. Do you have a name for him yet?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

He’s a real handsome boy! He looks healthy and it looks like your hens are interested in him. Hope all goes well when you remove the divider. Do you have a name for him yet?

No name yet.
They are checking him out for sure.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I really want to keep the Silkie x Novagen cockerel! He’s so darn cute!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I really want to keep the Silkie x Novagen cockerel! He’s so darn cute! View attachment 1511050

He is very cute.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

He is very cute.

Yup. He has this habit of running up to his sisters and pecking them on the back.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Ugh. Just thought of something. Even though the rooster is secured in the run with an electric wire. He will not be protected against weasels or minks as they could get through the welded wire. So, just thinking - if I put him in the coop tonight at 10 pm and take him out first thing in the morning to put him back into his area, would that work or can the hens cause issues or vice versa at night.
The lady told me someone got one of her cockerels and put him in with hens right away and they killed him. But, I am not sure on the age.
I still want them separated until I can observe them and won't really be able to do that until Friday with my schedule this week.
What do you think. We aren't super close to a lake, but close enough within a half of a mile. I've never seen a weasel around here and we do have wild bunnies running around (heard that is a sign of no weasels).

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

At night chickens are pretty much blind. If you put him on the roost once it’s fairly dark outside they won’t be able to see each other.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh bummer. So, dinners for the hubby? Or just a flock of drakes?

Don't know yet. We will see what I get from the other 9 eggs my other hen is sitting on. I don't mind multiple drakes. They keep each other busy. If I have any troublemakers they will go.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok, so the lady was/is a super nice person who loves to talk. She had the roo already for me when I got there. It was probably just easy for her to pull him out of the coop he was in. She let me look at him and then she put him in the crate for me. So, I didn't get to fully inspect him. But, feet, eyes, and nostrils looked good.
She showed me her other birds. She also has guineas. She called them up from a weed patch that she keeps just for them. I've never seen guineas in person. She said unfortunately the batch she had were all males.
She had some 4 month old pullets, but said she had not decided which to keep and was thinking of keeping the roo of that batch. She said she usually lets the roo go with a group of 4. I almost asked her for two pullets. Ha. That would have been too much for me at this time though.
I told her I would keep her number for when I need more pullets (should say want).
One thing she said was that she used DE. She also had a wholesome feed of sorts, but she probably gets it from a local mill.
Anyway, I thought it best t check and dust for critters just in case. I saw something crawling, that was enough for me - so he got dusted. Other than that, everything looks good on him.
So, I set up this pen inside the run with the intention of putting the dog crate in there. Well, there just wasn't enough room for that.
So, I took a tarp and hooked it to the top, then added a sheet of metal siding to the back side to help to keep him dry. I didn't get a pic of that though, but it will also keep it so that nothing can reach in if they can get past the hot wire.
Oh, I set him down for a bit after being dusted and before taking him out to the run. He growled at the ducks.
Also, I have already witnessed him trying to show the girls something, but I didn't see snything. He loved all of the dirt and even laid in it a bit while I was still out there. (He was in thick grass where his coop was setting previously) Oh, and he perked up to the sound of a horse and buggy. I didn't see any around his area. So that is probably something new for him.
I tried to get good shots, but he kept moving atound.
View attachment 1510956 View attachment 1510957 View attachment 1510959 View attachment 1510962 View attachment 1510964

He's a gorgeous boy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ugh. Just thought of something. Even though the rooster is secured in the run with an electric wire. He will not be protected against weasels or minks as they could get through the welded wire. So, just thinking - if I put him in the coop tonight at 10 pm and take him out first thing in the morning to put him back into his area, would that work or can the hens cause issues or vice versa at night.
The lady told me someone got one of her cockerels and put him in with hens right away and they killed him. But, I am not sure on the age.
I still want them separated until I can observe them and won't really be able to do that until Friday with my schedule this week.
What do you think. We aren't super close to a lake, but close enough within a half of a mile. I've never seen a weasel around here and we do have wild bunnies running around (heard that is a sign of no weasels).

Couldn't you just put him in a crate in the coop or run. I personally wouldn't add him directly. His presence could cause you hens to freak out at night. Chickens can break their neck if they start flying about at night.