Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[NYREDS]

A good quality sizzle will meet the silkie standard in every way except for the feathers, which are different.

Who established this definition? I know it wasn't either of the US sanctioning bodies.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Who established this definition? I know it wasn't either of the US sanctioning bodies.

It doesn't matter to me, this is what sizzle breeders use. Sizzles are my broodies and a project that I can have fun with, I am not planning on going to the nationals with one.

 

[Clay Mudd]

I think you should catch up the mean rooster, and hug it for several minutes several times a day ...

I think we should add "hug" to the list of euphemisms for "kill". That way, we could say things like, "That red rooster's startin' to get mean. Guess I'll have to hug him pretty soon." and nobody would cry.

 

[Beekissed]

I've found that culling for quality in your flock also works wonders in the human world. I guess you could even say it works great on this thread...those who get their feathers ruffled and attack the advice given are soon discouraged that the advice and the tone thereof never really changes here. They put up a fuss, get all feisty but they soon leave the thread/barnyard seeking a flock that has the same goals they have.

We don't give in to guilt, declarations of how we are all just jerks and lack any sensitivity to newbies, etc. We just maintain a constant, dependable thread of practical information. We maintain a steady, healthy and tough strain of info that isn't derailed by momentary changes in the quality of the birds introduced from outside sources....it's not that the flock must be all the same breed, color, size or other surface quality. It's that the goal of this particular flock is to produce a strong, self sustaining, productive flock that takes little maintenance to maintain healthy productivity. One really can't do that if every delicate bird has to be nursed along until, if ever, they are strong enough to be with the rest of the flock, standing strong and tough.

It's the same in your flock...a person needs to find a husbandry method that is solid and works where they live and with the type of chickens/breed/goal they have. If you are strongly consistent with those goals, eventually the chickens that simply aren't going to work toward that goal will evidence themselves by their differences....any weakness, any difference in quality of feathering, productivity or overall health with soon stand out when comparing it to the fine qualities in the rest of the flock. Over the years it gets easier to recognize the birds that don't have the qualities you seek because you have dealt with so many that have...it's easy to recognize the counterfeit if you have studied the real thing over and over.

I guess the thing to do with chickens and in life is find out what kind of flock you want and then work diligently to make it happen, sentiment aside and with single minded determination. In life it applies to so many things....the kind of peace you want, the kind of people you surround yourself with, the kind of family you want, the kind of job you want. It all depends so much on what makes your life complete and how willing you are to focus on the good qualities while consistently weeding out the less desirable like stress, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, feeling like those around you drag you down, etc.

If a single bird causes turmoil in the flock, it's best to just remove the single bird instead of approaching it like a flock problem. Roosters are a prime example, as are birds that are picked upon, etc. Raising chickens is so much more enjoyable if you keep your eye on the goal and pursue it....if only life could be as easy as maintaining a good flock of chickens!

 

[al6517]

Now why is it that you fine folks think I am joshing here, about correcting mean rooster behavior, I am not, I researched it, and read so very many chicken articles online and in this forum. as the saying goes 10,000 people can't be wrong. Besides if you do something mean to the rooster like hit him or boot him around or some sort of physical retaliation, it will make him even more mean and he won't love you anymore. And if he doesn't love you and want to follow you around for treats that would mean, don't you think. I love my roosters so much they are so cute and pretty and I just love the way they treat the ladies and how gentle he is with them, he is a true gentleman and I will have him here forever.

Now please can we talk about other more gentle methods for treating a mean rooster because quite frankly people it's offensive to hear the way some of you treat your chickens and all this culling and killing and cooking them, is a thought that just makes me so very sad, and sometimes I tear up.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Now why is it that you fine folks think I am joshing here, about correcting mean rooster behavior, I am not, I researched it, and read so very many chicken articles online and in this forum. as the saying goes 10,000 people can't be wrong. Besides if you do something mean to the rooster like hit him or boot him around or some sort of physical retaliation, it will make him even more mean and he won't love you anymore. And if he doesn't love you and want to follow you around for treats that would mean, don't you think. I love my roosters so much they are so cute and pretty and I just love the way they treat the ladies and how gentle he is with them, he is a true gentleman and I will have him here forever.

Now please can we talk about other more gentle methods for treating a mean rooster because quite frankly people it's offensive to hear the way some of you treat your chickens and all this culling and killing and cooking them, is a thought that just makes me so very sad, and sometimes I tear up.

I'm sorry Al. I'll try to behave. But that broth is soooooo good!!!!

 

[Clay Mudd]

I'm sorry Al. I'll try to behave. But that broth is soooooo good!!!!

Ahem.

I'm sure you meant to say, "That rooster's new home is quite tasteful."

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you, Al....

You are right and it really takes someone with intelligence and compassion to point that out and I thank you for it. I really needed to be reminded that my methods may really be kind of outdated and inhumane at this juncture. We now are more enlightened since we have tried and true new methods of dealing with naughty roos. Love and treats go much further than our senseless brutality and it's time to revise how we think or feel about it all. Just because we are old doesn't mean we are more wise and younger generations have so much to teach us!

From now on I will strive to rehabilitate those feisty roos and recognize that he is not inferior, merely misunderstood and a good hug and some shaming in front of the rest of the chickens will go much farther than much harsher schooling. It will have a more lasting effect and won't damage his self-esteem so badly that he is scared of humans afterward.

Thank you, Al!

 

[Beekissed]

As a matter of fact, I'm going to design a rooster cozy sling so that I can carry my roo around while I'm doing chores but still have my hands free. It will be comfortable, washable and stylish....are you interested in buying one when I get them finished?

 

[Clay Mudd]

I've found that culling for quality in your flock also works wonders in the human world.

I have often thought that an axe and a stump could be used to improve the human race.





But that was before the Internet turned me into a kind, sensitive individual.