help me please

[kimmerjo]

So I have just finish reading story's guide to raising chicken. I have more ? than before. I want to have chickens for the eggs my husband want them for hatching more chickens.... Can I just have hens for eggs the first year then introduce a cock for chicks the next year?

 

[Nambroth]

You can have a rooster from the start, if you want. Fertile eggs don't start to develop until they are brooded by a hen or an incubator. You can pull eggs every day for eating, indefinitely, and not have chicks... or you can let a broody hen raise chicks if you want. If you don't have a broody, you can consider an incubator.

There are a lot of things to consider if you want to breed them in the future. If you start with healthy and well-bred stock, you will probably be happier with the outcome, in the long run, most of the time. Research breeds carefully to see which one(s) you think will best fit into your plan and lifestyle! Some people prefer gentle, more laid back pet birds while others need them to be a bit more flighty to evade predators on full free range. A lot of fun research is ahead of you!

 

[kimmerjo]

Ok is getting a rooster easier now with the hens? You have no idea I have had my coop since this spring its still not ready my husband say I'm over thinking everything. I still don't know what kind I will get I need docile ( have young children) but hardy birds I live in the wood in Western New York so I have predators everywhere. So having a rooster will help with keeping flock safe. One more thing say I do decide to let a hen brood how long before I can introduce her and chick back into coop?

 

[Nambroth]

I'm in WNY too. Whereabouts are you? EDIT: Saw that you are in Randolph? Not far from me at all. I'm near Olean.

There are pros and cons to getting a rooster with your hens all at the same time. They grow up together and he is likely to think of them as part of his flock. But, he will probably mature before they do, and sometimes that makes for an uncomfortable situation... he wants to mate, the girls aren't ready, and it can range from simply 'boy overdoing things' to 'he's harming the girls!'. You also may need to wait for his hormones to even out, so to speak. Some roosters are much friskier -- too frisky sometimes-- until they are a year or older. Some people have big problems with this, others do not. Each bird is individual. Some breeds tend to be a bit more mellow, though.

If you wait to get a rooster, the older hens will often keep him submissive until he's a bit older. For some roos this is very stressful, for others it is not. If you adopt a roo that is already mature, you know if you are getting a nice roo or not for the most part. Does that make sense? But the downside to that is you must quarantine, and there is always a risk he is bringing disease into your flock. I know, it's a lot to think about!

Depending on your coop, you might be able to make a little area for her to be safe with her chicks so she can brood them right there. A good momma will be able to take care of her babies if she is not crowded. It all depends on the situation and your birds.

 

[kimmerjo]

Great I'm in Chautauqua county . You? I can't really decide .if I raise the rooster will he know I'm boss I heard if you do things like feed him last he won't compete with you over the flock.

 

[kimmerjo]

I live in Sinclairville .

 

[Nambroth]

Great I'm in Chautauqua county . You? I can't really decide .if I raise the rooster will he know I'm boss I heard if you do things like feed him last he won't compete with you over the flock.

Maybe! I did everything 'right' with my first rooster-- he accepted me as boss roo, but he attacked other people. He bruised my mom pretty good when she came to visit. If you have children, what would you do if he flogged them? They can really pack a punch. Enough that some adults can be afraid of flogging or getting hit with a spur. There are things you can do to help establish yourself as head of the flock but roosters don't always read the forums here and may have different ideas!

Sometimes strange things can turn a roo to attack a human. I had one that could NOT stand the color red or large boots. If I wore red or large boots he'd always kick me. Otherwise he was okay.

My last rooster was a giant cochin and he was very protective of the flock but very sweet with us. Would let anyone approach and even pick him up. He was very watchful of the girls and always warned of hawks. The only problem is that he couldn't move as fast as other roosters because of his feathered feet and legs... so he might not have been the best in a physical spat between him and a predator. He was big enough that I don't think too many things wanted to mess with him. Still, I was impressed enough with him that the lady I got him from is trying to hatch me another, one of his relatives. I think she lives out near you. I am near Olean.

My point being is that there are sometimes a lot of sweet roosters out there that need homes. It sounds cold, but it's not worth your time or injury to mess with a mean one, unless you want to undertake some intensive training.

 

[kimmerjo]

what kind of chicken do you have?I'm really interested in Orpintons.I making a list and checking it twice

 

[Nambroth]

what kind of chicken do you have?I'm really interested in Orpintons.I making a list and checking it twice

I hear Orpingtons are real sweet birds. If you click "my coop" under my name/icon/location, you can see all my chickens.