Hello everyone as you can tell I'm new to this site and also a first time chicken owner. I live in north central Ks and currently have 16 chickens. I purchased them 12 weeks ago and guessed they were around 2 weeks when I got them so my flock is around 14 weeks old. I have (8) RIR 2 roosters 6 hens, (2) Buff Orpington 1 rooster 1 hen, (2) Plymouth Rocks both hens, (2) Black Sex Lynx both hens, and (2) Americana's both hens. Total of (3) Roosters and (13) hens.
My first question is (3) roosters to many for (13) hens? I have a coup that is 9x12 with (7) nesting boxes, a covered run that is 12x17 and we let them free range in the yard from the time we get up in the morning and open the gate until about 9:00 at night when they go to roost.
Second question is there anything I need to do for nesting boxes to get them ready for laying? If so what and when? Everything I have read says they will start laying as early as 15 weeks and some later then 27 weeks with an average around 22 weeks. I am figuring I will start getting eggs some time from August and hoping all are laying by end of October. I plan on adding oyster shell to diet first of august. Right now we are feeding layer pellets with a little fancy scratch mixed into. We also feed lots of vegetable and fruit scraps along with grass and bugs from the yard. Wanting to prepaid myself in case some star laying early between the 15-19 weeks.
I have one Plymouth that has a mature comb and waddle but we are pretty sure she is a hen because she acts nothing like the other 3 roosters. The other 3 are much bigger and are mounting the hens including this one. The other 3 are more aggressive with the other birds this acts more like the hens. A week ago I would of thought we had 4 roosters with the way this one developed the comb and waddle but research and her actions has convinced me she is a hen. I have read that this breed can start laying as early as 15 weeks, which would be the next couple weeks ahead.
I also have a 5 gallon bucket of water in the run with 8 water nipples and a outer in the yard with a plan to add another in the yard as we'll. can't think of any other info to share hope this is enough so you can share with me any tips are advice from your experience.
Thank You in advance for your help, ideas, suggestions, and feedback. I used this site a lot prepairing and setting up my new chicken adventure.
Ron
My first question is (3) roosters to many for (13) hens? I have a coup that is 9x12 with (7) nesting boxes, a covered run that is 12x17 and we let them free range in the yard from the time we get up in the morning and open the gate until about 9:00 at night when they go to roost.
Second question is there anything I need to do for nesting boxes to get them ready for laying? If so what and when? Everything I have read says they will start laying as early as 15 weeks and some later then 27 weeks with an average around 22 weeks. I am figuring I will start getting eggs some time from August and hoping all are laying by end of October. I plan on adding oyster shell to diet first of august. Right now we are feeding layer pellets with a little fancy scratch mixed into. We also feed lots of vegetable and fruit scraps along with grass and bugs from the yard. Wanting to prepaid myself in case some star laying early between the 15-19 weeks.
I have one Plymouth that has a mature comb and waddle but we are pretty sure she is a hen because she acts nothing like the other 3 roosters. The other 3 are much bigger and are mounting the hens including this one. The other 3 are more aggressive with the other birds this acts more like the hens. A week ago I would of thought we had 4 roosters with the way this one developed the comb and waddle but research and her actions has convinced me she is a hen. I have read that this breed can start laying as early as 15 weeks, which would be the next couple weeks ahead.
I also have a 5 gallon bucket of water in the run with 8 water nipples and a outer in the yard with a plan to add another in the yard as we'll. can't think of any other info to share hope this is enough so you can share with me any tips are advice from your experience.
Thank You in advance for your help, ideas, suggestions, and feedback. I used this site a lot prepairing and setting up my new chicken adventure.
Ron
and Welcome To BYC! I usually just put one fake in the nests.
