- May 24, 2010
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This is my first time raising chickens. My husband has raised them before but never had any brooders. We received chickens from a friend (six roosters and six hens) all about 1 year old. Two hens are brooding. We made the chicken house along with an outside pen. The chicken house is 8X6 - 8foot to 4 foot with slanted roof. Insullated since we live in upper Maine. The pen is 8X8 and 4 Feet tall with wiring and fencing. We also put wiring and fencing on the bottom of the house to keep out foxes. I need to get rid of 4 or 5 of the roosters since the are constantly fighting (we had two chicks who were killed by the fighting roosters). Since then I boxed in the 2 brooders (who are sitting on 9 eggs), keeping water and food in their brood. This keeps the roosters out. Just wondering if the 2 brooders with hurt each other's chicks when they hatch? They both are sitting together on the eggs.
They are all very friendly. I have been separating the roosters, and trying to get them to free roam during the day. Only 2 or 3 will go outside. I always put them in at night, until I can get someone to take them, I'm trying to keep them separated during the day. I have one great rooster who is always coralling the hens together away from the other roosters.
I'm still in the learning stages, but planting my flower garden, 2 of the roosters (free roaming) came to me, wondering what I was doing. They have all been raised together. My husband was telling me about the pecking order with the hens, but doesn't know a whole lot about baby chicks, brooding, and refuses to kill any of the roosters. (some hunter he is..)
Since the first day I have had them (including the brooders), the 4 hens (that aren't brooding), have been laying eggs, so I believe they must feel comfortable. But I don't understand why a rooster sort-of pairs with a hen, helps build the nest, before she lays an egg. Its really awesome to watch.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of the 4 or 5 roosters, without leaving them out to nature. (I don't have the heart for that, plus they want to get back into the house every night, so I put them in.) I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Thanks for any suggestions.
They are all very friendly. I have been separating the roosters, and trying to get them to free roam during the day. Only 2 or 3 will go outside. I always put them in at night, until I can get someone to take them, I'm trying to keep them separated during the day. I have one great rooster who is always coralling the hens together away from the other roosters.
I'm still in the learning stages, but planting my flower garden, 2 of the roosters (free roaming) came to me, wondering what I was doing. They have all been raised together. My husband was telling me about the pecking order with the hens, but doesn't know a whole lot about baby chicks, brooding, and refuses to kill any of the roosters. (some hunter he is..)
Since the first day I have had them (including the brooders), the 4 hens (that aren't brooding), have been laying eggs, so I believe they must feel comfortable. But I don't understand why a rooster sort-of pairs with a hen, helps build the nest, before she lays an egg. Its really awesome to watch.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of the 4 or 5 roosters, without leaving them out to nature. (I don't have the heart for that, plus they want to get back into the house every night, so I put them in.) I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Thanks for any suggestions.
