Comet problems

[Psuedofarmer]

I bought 6 pullets and a cockeral about 3 years ago. I have 3 hens left.( a hawk, a fox, and ?) I was told that they were less aggressive than RIR's. When I questioned the seller about why there had been no biddies, he informed me that they wouldn't brood, that they were bred to be egg-layers. One of my hens started brooding, but after a long time nothing happened. The rooster is VERY aggressive and I have been spurred several times. Now the hens seem to have stopped laying. I have let them be free-range and pen-bound, and have fed scratch and laying mash. Help! I have money invested in a nice house and pen, and I want eggs and to be spur-free! (I can't kill them - not imy nature - except for the nasty rooster, and then I would have to 'send him away', not kill him!!!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Most production-type birds lay well for a year or two, then lay at a much slower rate - maybe only an egg or two a week. Your girls are probably unlikely to lay well in the future due to their breeding and age.

As for your rooster, off with his head. Literally. there is no reason to tolerate a mean rooster. "sending him away" is the same as having someone else kill him, as he is older and bad-tempered, and no one should be expected to tolerate that. It would be better to humanely kill him than to send him off where he will probably be killed anyway, and maybe not in a humane manner.

 

[liz9910]

Hi,

from California.

Elizabeth

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I bought 6 pullets and a cockeral about 3 years ago.

There is your problem. Any hen is naturally going to slow down in her production as she ages, even the high-speed, low-drag production girls. And as they get older they are more prone to taking long breaks. This happens regardless of breed or variety. This is why the industry replaces their birds every year or two at most. Time for some new girls!

As for the rooster aggression is bird specific meaning that many roosters are peaceable enough if not provoked, but some are just plain mean. They do however make excellent coq au vin and should be used for that purpose. Roosters are too easy to come by to put up with an aggressive one.

 

[Psuedofarmer]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I will try to get rid of the rooster. Have been offered some free hens, so will go with that. I am a coward for the killing.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[am farmer]

You sould also think about adding new stock every other year for your hens and if you just want eggs for eating you only need hens but if you want chicks every spring try find a broody breed for this reason and welcome to byc

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. Be careful with free hens. Someone could just be getting rid of their old hens and you are right back where you started from. I would try for some pullets. Good luck.