Consolidated Kansas

sharol I just found out my tiny little bantam Cochin hen is sitting on eggs in the doghouse, eeek! I can't let her keep them so now I'm going to have to dig them out of there & make her mad. I will not be in any shape right now to take care of chicks, really bad timing. Speaking of the bantams, yesterday I went into their pen to feed them & with that pen being right next to the main coop at times the other hens will sneak in with me. Well one did yesterday & these hens are at least double if not more the size of the rooster in there. He saw that hen & he puffed up his chest & went after her like you don't belong here get out, it was so funny I had to chuckle. She did turn around & head out the door of the pen.

It's really cold out there today so I'm glad I got most of the water changed out yesterday. I'm actually feeling worse today but it may be because I overdid it. I did all the water, feeding, & then came in & totally changed things around in my entry/mudroom area. I was really tired out by the time I got that all done. I may have to take it easier today so I can get well. I sure don't want to get worse now.
I can just see it. I only have the two coops and runs, but once in a while someone gets in the wrong run, and when that happens, the residents (usually the roo/cockerel in charge) run off the intruder. They free range in the yard together without incident, but home is home, I guess.

Take care of yourself. This temperature is brutal here. We were at 1 degree at 6 a.m. this morning. It is up to a blistering 11 now. At least the sun is out there helping keep some spots out of the wind a bit more comfortable.
 
Yeah my DH is off work today so I hope to talk him into doing most of the chores today so I don't have to be out much. I woke up not feeling that well again & I really don't need to be out in that brutal cold. I am glad to see the sun out at least. It's supposed to be 48 here tomorrow & I'm going to have to go out then & clean out my main coop. For some reason it has gotten nasty really fast. Usually I can wait till March to clean it out, but I think with the laying flock all being in there for two solid weeks shut in while I was gone on vacation may have just tipped the scales. I'm not looking forward to shoveling that all out when I'm sick, ugh.
 
Hello all! Long time no talk! It's been a LONg time since I've checked in on this thread! Things have been really busy! For those that have been around here for a while, my Wee One is now 2 years old and doing well! My DH has FINALLY agreed to let me have some chickens, so my flock, which currently has 3 geese and 4 ducks, will soon be gaining some chickens! I'm thoroughly excited and have been doings lots of reading and have been asking LOTS of questions! Danz has been wonderful in answering many of my questions. Someone reminded me that a friend from church is also big into chickens and is considered by many to be THe local chicken expert (judges the area 4H shows and more). I had a chance to ask her some questions today, and she disagreed with a few things Danz told me. I trust both of these ladies and am a little confused now as to what to think... So, I'd like your opinions!

My question: Is it worth it to have a rooster or not? Those of you that have chickens - what breed do you have and is your rooster worth his weight?

Also, I wanted to share some good news, which can all be summed up in this picture, which shows me (on the left) and my riding buddy:
\
 
Hello all! Long time no talk! It's been a LONg time since I've checked in on this thread! Things have been really busy! For those that have been around here for a while, my Wee One is now 2 years old and doing well! My DH has FINALLY agreed to let me have some chickens, so my flock, which currently has 3 geese and 4 ducks, will soon be gaining some chickens! I'm thoroughly excited and have been doings lots of reading and have been asking LOTS of questions! Danz has been wonderful in answering many of my questions. Someone reminded me that a friend from church is also big into chickens and is considered by many to be THe local chicken expert (judges the area 4H shows and more). I had a chance to ask her some questions today, and she disagreed with a few things Danz told me. I trust both of these ladies and am a little confused now as to what to think... So, I'd like your opinions!

My question: Is it worth it to have a rooster or not? Those of you that have chickens - what breed do you have and is your rooster worth his weight?

Also, I wanted to share some good news, which can all be summed up in this picture, which shows me (on the left) and my riding buddy:
\
I is so good to hear from you again.

I got an EE rooster when I was having lots of hawks around. He does a great job alarming the girls when something dangerous is in the area. Since I've been hatching some, I decided to keep a Jubilee Orp Rooster from the first English Orp hatch (eggs from Chicken Danz). I also have a nice blue orp. These guys are really big and very gentle with people and for the most part the girls. My white orp had some comb damage when he was learning where to grab, but they aren't showing feather damage. He is in a different run from my first roo (who is getting more mellow in his old age). There are also a couple of odd ones. A Breda Fowl cockerel and a true Araucana cockerel -- they live with the original flock in the original run and coop. Everybody is out in the yard together and there is only an occasional stand off. They don't mess with each others' hens, though. I had to rescue the Jubilee orp (Winston) early on from my EE roo when he went in the wrong run and got trapped in a corner. Jake was giving him a bit of a lesson in respecting others' space.

I love the roos. They are great fun to watch, and haven't been mean to each other so far. I suspect the blue orp will have to go later this spring.

The downside is that with fertile eggs there is a chance of a chick starting to develop if you don't get the eggs out of a hot coop soon enough. Not a pleasant surprise when frying an egg. There can also be feather damage if there aren't enough hens or if he has only one or two favorites.
 
Hello all! Long time no talk! It's been a LONg time since I've checked in on this thread! Things have been really busy! For those that have been around here for a while, my Wee One is now 2 years old and doing well! My DH has FINALLY agreed to let me have some chickens, so my flock, which currently has 3 geese and 4 ducks, will soon be gaining some chickens! I'm thoroughly excited and have been doings lots of reading and have been asking LOTS of questions! Danz has been wonderful in answering many of my questions. Someone reminded me that a friend from church is also big into chickens and is considered by many to be THe local chicken expert (judges the area 4H shows and more). I had a chance to ask her some questions today, and she disagreed with a few things Danz told me. I trust both of these ladies and am a little confused now as to what to think... So, I'd like your opinions!

My question: Is it worth it to have a rooster or not? Those of you that have chickens - what breed do you have and is your rooster worth his weight?

Also, I wanted to share some good news, which can all be summed up in this picture, which shows me (on the left) and my riding buddy:
It's nice to see you back & congrats on the pregnancy, you'll have to update us at intervals on how it's going. That's great that you're going to be able to add chickens, you will enjoy them. You will form your own opinions as time goes on after you get them. There are more opinions than anything else in the chicken world & you have to find what works best for you. I personally like having at least one rooster with my main laying flock because they do look out for the hens & try to protect them. I watch mine out in the yard & he's always on alert. I have had more than one but now am down to just the Welsummer rooster. I agree with sharol that roosters are very entertaining. If you get a breed that is laid back you won't have problems with him getting aggressive with you. I've had really good luck with this Welsummer rooster, he's very respectful. I don't recomment Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, or Ameraucana roosters because they are more on the aggressive side. Orpingtons are usually really laid back, EE roosters might be OK depending on what the mix is, & my Marans rooster never has been aggressive either. I have lots of different breeds of chickens & most of the roosters I have are really pretty good, of course any rooster will defend his girls if he feels they're threatened, but you should be able to work around them without being attacked. Any rooster that has gotten really aggressive with me has gone either to freezer camp or to live with someone else. The very worst one of all time I had was a Reece Barred Rock rooster that was just huge & he was full of himself. He decided he didn't like me & I could never go into the pen without him coming right for me. I had to carry a stick & use my feed bucket to shield me. Needless to say, he went to freezer camp as soon as I got a replacement. The next one I got & still have now is just fine, he is a good rooster, so even within a breed there can be a big difference. I have read & been told that the hens will feel more secure with a rooster around. I know mine is about the last in the coop in the evening because he makes sure the girls get in at night, I think it's cute. He patrols the door & shoos them in.
 
Hello all! Long time no talk! It's been a LONg time since I've checked in on this thread! Things have been really busy! For those that have been around here for a while, my Wee One is now 2 years old and doing well! My DH has FINALLY agreed to let me have some chickens, so my flock, which currently has 3 geese and 4 ducks, will soon be gaining some chickens! I'm thoroughly excited and have been doings lots of reading and have been asking LOTS of questions! Danz has been wonderful in answering many of my questions. Someone reminded me that a friend from church is also big into chickens and is considered by many to be THe local chicken expert (judges the area 4H shows and more). I had a chance to ask her some questions today, and she disagreed with a few things Danz told me. I trust both of these ladies and am a little confused now as to what to think... So, I'd like your opinions! My question: Is it worth it to have a rooster or not? Those of you that have chickens - what breed do you have and is your rooster worth his weight? Also, I wanted to share some good news, which can all be summed up in this picture, which shows me (on the left) and my riding buddy: \
I personally wouldn't go without a rooster. But if you keep them locked up 24/7 there's really no need. Free ranged at all and I think you'd be wrong not to have one. Just my 2 cents.
 
I agree, if you ever let your girls free range a rooster is an absolute necessity. And of course if you want future chicks it is essential. I happen to love hearing a rooster crow. It always makes me smile. Even though I have tons too many of them!!
Plus I love watching them dance and point out food for the girls.
Unlike Trish I've never had a mean barred rock roo. I have had a mean Orpington, although that is abnormal, and also earlier a Marans I took pleasure in butchering. I won't tolerate a mean bird. No reason when there will always be more if you let hatch chicks.
 
I agree, if you ever let your girls free range a rooster is an absolute necessity. And of course if you want future chicks it is essential. I happen to love hearing a rooster crow. It always makes me smile. Even though I have tons too many of them!!
Plus I love watching them dance and point out food for the girls.
Unlike Trish I've never had a mean barred rock roo. I have had a mean Orpington, although that is abnormal, and also earlier a Marans I took pleasure in butchering. I won't tolerate a mean bird. No reason when there will always be more if you let hatch chicks.
I was honestly surprised when my friend said roosters weren't worth keeping. Thank you all for the input! I think I'll plan on keeping a rooster!
 
Lizzy I am also a believer in a rooster he will risk all to protect the hens It is good to hear from you but why you have your husband under your thumb talk him into some quineas they will be a big help with snakes
 
Lizzy I am also a believer in a rooster he will risk all to protect the hens It is good to hear from you but why you have your husband under your thumb talk him into some quineas they will be a big help with snakes
LOL! That's not likely to happen any time soon! He thinks they're too noisy, and I've already got one bird he resents letting me have (my Chinese Goose). Next on my list for "chicken math" would probably be a few more geese (NOT chinese) and maybe a couple of turkeys.
 

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