fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I'll let her know.

I haven't uploaded anything to YT in a couple years... let's see if this works:

 

[fuzzi]

I've never tried introducing a young cockerel to a flock of mature hens, but it might be easier to get through the see-don't-touch now while he's young than later when he's hormonal and they're having nothing of it.

I think it would be okay. She may need to do "look no touch" for a short while. With animals you don't know how they'll do until you try.

She's good with integrating him slowly.

She also asked if I wanted to give her an additional roo, so the first could have a companion his own size. I know some people have bachelor pads, not sure if two bantam cockerels and three retired RIR hens would be a good combination.

What say ye, experts?

 

[NanaK]

Normally I'd say 2 roos with 3 hens would not be good.

But these are bantam roos and large fowl mature hens. I have no experience with bantams.

I will add, often when you add cockerels to mature hens, the boys quickly learn some manners. The best roos I've had were raised this way. For a while I had 2 boys with 10 hens in a run with no problems. The boys had to earn the respect of the hens.

The lady will also be adding the cockerels to her hens' existing coop. Meaning the cockerels are moving to the hens home. So the hens *might* try to defend home at first. Since the boys are young, and naturally smaller, a buddy could be good.

If I was going to try this I would do the look no touch both cockerels together. Then as I let them mix with the hens be available to watch.

Sorry I can't be much help. Chickens all have their own little personalities.

 

[3KillerBs]

She also asked if I wanted to give her an additional roo, so the first could have a companion his own size. I know some people have bachelor pads, not sure if two bantam cockerels and three retired RIR hens would be a good combination.

I think it would be unlikely to work out well over the long term.

They may be bantams, but they're going to have a full compliment of hormones just like the full-sized boys.

 

[NanaK]

Always have back up plans when dealing with multiple roos.

 

[fuzzi]

Always have back up plans when dealing with multiple roos.

I did tell her that I wasn't going to take back any chickens I give away, due to concerns that they could bring pathogens with them that could kill my other birds.

 

[NanaK]

I did tell her that I wasn't going to take back any chickens I give away, due to concerns that they could bring pathogens with them that could kill my other birds.

I wouldn't take back any for the same reason. Too much risk for me.

 

[fuzzi]

It's been raining in torrents on and off all morning. I checked on the flock about noon, took the Dominiques out for some fresher air and sunshine. They were a little damp underneath (belly), but they did some "dust bathing" in the dry straw I'd provided. One took a short sun bath in the sunshine.

I checked the brooder and the straw inside was damp. Not good. Pulled out the damp straw from the floor of the brooder, added a thick layer of fresh, dry straw, then put more fresh straw on top of the MHP. Underneath appeared to be fine/dry. I think the humidity from the downpours yesterday and today has caused everything in the coop to be a little damp.

I even tossed some fresh straw around the coop, which made the older Sussex chicks very happy.

Here the Dominiques are visiting with their older cousins while I clean the brooder:

From "play time":

 

[fuzzi]

We had severe thunderstorms last night, more torrential rains. It looked stormy all morning, so I didn't go out to the coop until noonish.

After I fed some grapes to the Sussex chicks I gave the Dominiques some more mush. It brings them out of the brooder on their own.

Then I put them in the main run for a brief visit with their cousins.

And then I brought them out into the sunshine!

I added a couple clumps of grass/weeds with dirt still on the roots, and the Dominiques found insects, ooh! Exciting!

When I brought the carrier back into the coop a couple of the Dominiques decided to escape, but ran into the Sussex, and got a couple pecks for their troubles. Hope a lesson was learned!

I shooed them back into the carrier, and took it over to the brooder. The brooder door was open, and the Dominiques needed little encouragement to go back inside. When I checked on them a few minutes later they were preening, huddled together on top of the MHP.

What an eventful and exhausting day for 2 week old chicks!

And the Sussex? They did their own version of a scrum...

 

[fuzzi]

One of my cockerels just made it to the "definitely going" list.

I took the play yard over to the corner of the coop by the door, and made a barrier with a piece of hardware cloth. The Dominiques came out and started scratching and exploring a 1'x2' area inside the coop. One of the cockerels sat and watched, then suddenly launched himself over the barrier and into the tiny area. He started pecking the chicks furiously.

I grabbed him and tossed him behind me. The Dominiques were screaming. I carried them outside but they wouldn't leave the carrier for some time. One would approach the carrier opening and stretch her neck out to look around, probably for the mean cockerel. They finally left the carrier and gave themselves dirt baths...in the wet soil. And then went exploring through the overgrown apron area.

Cockerel "green" didn't just give a chick a peck in passing, but appeared to be attacking them for real. It upset me very much, and I am wondering if it was a fluke or he needs to go, NOW. Am I overreacting?

I was making a video when it happened: