Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Angelicisi]

Egg shoot puckers! Lol love it. Sounds about right! It *is* so much harder to do your business with a cold seat. Lol

I've got about 15 laying right now and I usually get about 6-8 eggs one day and 10-12 the next. Six of them just started laying and six more left to start laying. The eggs are stacking up a little bit. I've been giving them away but will start selling them by spring if not sooner.

I was thinking on this just the other day... maybe when it's real cold the egg shoot puckers up from the cold so no eggs, then when it warms up the shoot opens and here they come again! hahahaha Ahhh maybe that temperature and daylight thing has something to do with it. hehe

 

[Angelicisi]

I'd think it depends on the household. Kids around or visit? Visitors that are not chicken people. Your ability to take a flogging...aggressiveness is culled here. I've also noticed breeding aggressive roos can make more aggressive roos. Most roos grow up and handle their flocks well, no *need* to start with an aggressor.
But, if its just you and you can handle an attack, keep him(eventually you'll have to touch one of his girls, or be distracted and he'll be waiting for it...) Just always be on guard because they literally can take an eye out.

That said, if they are young your pussycat roo may very well become aggressive after puberty due to lack of fear of humans. They always want go be top Roo and you could be in his way.

I'd keep the one that's scared of ME, then make sure he knows I'm the boss

There are a few Patterdale breeders in Texas!

QUESTiON:  Breeders/owners.  Do any of you 'eliminate' cocks/cockerels that show human aggression?    I do not.  I don't encourage it but I don't dispatch a bird for it.

Case in point...In this batch of new birds, I have two 'special' cockerels...Both are excellent examples of the breed (Turken) in my opinion, for my purposes and for those who like color, they are both very attractively adorned. 

One is a pussy cat and virtually a pet, the other is very dominant in every way EXCEPT, he's not aggressive to other cockerels that stay out of his way and he is acting very mature for his age of 6+ months.  He also challenges me at every opportunity.  This is not a problem for me because I simply ignore him, let him do his job and go on about my business and allow him to do his.  He is the kind of bird I want to keep an eye on the gals...If all goes well, he will end up in a cock station.

Opinions Please.

 

[Triple Willow]

I'd think it depends on the household. Kids around or visit? Visitors that are not chicken people. Your ability to take a flogging...aggressiveness is culled here. I've also noticed breeding aggressive roos can make more aggressive roos. Most roos grow up and handle their flocks well, no *need* to start with an aggressor.
But, if its just you and you can handle an attack, keep him(eventually you'll have to touch one of his girls, or be distracted and he'll be waiting for it...) Just always be on guard because they literally can take an eye out.

That said, if they are young your pussycat roo may very well become aggressive after puberty due to lack of fear of humans. They always want go be top Roo and you could be in his way.

I'd keep the one that's scared of ME, then make sure he knows I'm the boss

Ditto. I'd put a hurtin' on him a time or two and see if it changed his mind. If not, freezer.

 

[Triple Willow]

Egg shoot puckers! Lol love it. Sounds about right! It *is* so much harder to do your business with a cold seat. Lol

That's what I was thinking and to have to do any business outside in 18'F weather - not if I could help it! LOL

 

[Triple Willow]

I am not overly fond of pickled eggs either, really not much of an anything pickled fan.  But I find if they are made w/ a good vinegar like a good balsamic or red wine vinegar I like them better (pickled eggs) 

I'm not real crazy about "dill" unless it is a pickle maybe on a hamburger but other pickled things I love - pickled okra, cayenne peppers, jalapenos, carrots, cauliflower, kraut, etc. I love sour food (and hot)! I love just cut up cucumbers in vinegar/water with salt and pepper. Let them set a day or so and yum! And pickled pig's feet!

 

[hellbender]

Angelicie and Triple Willow...

Your points are well taken. From my experience, many if not most of my cockerels that challenge me at a young age are just feeling their oats. If I were to try to 'correct' them or to have them fear me, that would be counter productive. Generally, as they mature, their attitude toward me changes from considering me a challenger to their harems to someone who is to be tolerated because their little bird brains come to understand that I'm no threat to their gals but rather a supplier of really good stuff to eat.

This type of cock almost never becomes a pet but stops challenging me and continues to be a good protective overseer of his gals. Additionally, the abundant testosterone makes them valued breeders, hence taking up temporary residence with a bevy of proven hens in a cock station, come spring.

Sometimes, the friendly 'pet' type cockerels do come around but I'm generally more impressed with the ones that come on strong and keep that edge for the duration.

OH...when I said 'counter productive'...if I were to correct them or kick at them, that will generally exacerbate the situation and make them impossible to be around. A bird can always be 'deleted' but once it's done....they can not be brought back.

JMHO

 

[Triple Willow]

My buckeye roos are getting along a little too well! They have started double-teaming the pullets. If one catches a pullet to breed the other comes running and takes his turn too or they both chase down one pullet. They did seem to have the pullets divided up between them, now this. I believe one is going to have to go back to the roo pen!

 

[Angelicisi]

Just be ready...

Angelicie and Triple Willow...

Your points are well taken. From my experience, many if not most of my cockerels that challenge me at a young age are just feeling their oats.  If I were to try to 'correct' them or to have them fear me, that would be counter productive.  Generally, as they mature, their attitude toward me changes from considering me a challenger to their harems to someone who is to be tolerated because their little bird brains come to understand that I'm no threat to their gals but rather a supplier of really good stuff to eat.

This type of cock almost never becomes a pet but stops challenging me and continues to be a good protective overseer of his gals. Additionally, the abundant testosterone makes them valued breeders, hence taking up temporary residence with a bevy of proven hens in a cock station, come spring.

Sometimes, the friendly 'pet' type cockerels do come around but I'm generally more impressed with the ones that come on strong and keep that edge for the duration.

OH...when I said 'counter productive'...if I were to correct them or kick at them, that will generally exacerbate the situation  and make them impossible to be around.  A bird can always be 'deleted' but once it's done....they can not be brought back.  

JMHO

 

[Triple Willow]

@hellbender... you have MUCH more experience than I do. But as Angelicisi mentioned, I worry about the eye thing - I'd prefer to keep mine! lol

 

[Angelicisi]

Naughty buggers lol least they're getting along? Lol!

My buckeye roos are getting along a little too well! They have started double-teaming the pullets. If one catches a pullet to breed the other comes running and takes his turn too or they both chase down one pullet. They did seem to have the pullets divided up between them, now this. I believe one is going to have to go back to the roo pen!