Hen turned into roo!

[mhoney6943]

Ok, so fairly new to the world of chickens. I raise parrots but decided to get a couple of hens for my outdoor enclosed aviary with the intention of them helping keep some of the wasted pellet food and seed mix cleaned up. They still get their own food and lots of other healthy food items. They are now around 18 weeks old and I woke up to what sounded like a newly learned crowing sound. I had my suspicion that one was starting to look more like a roo due to the size and growth of the wattle and comb. I had named the two Lucy and Ethel due to one being a red head and one white with brown and black spots. The breeder told me they were mixed since she has various species and they are all free range so she isn't sure what they are mixed with. I am a little upset since I did not want a roo at all. With that being said, I have become very attached to both and can in no way imagine getting rid of Ethel who is now going to be Ricky. So, what can I expect and is it OK to leave the two in the aviary together. They are always together and get along great, so far. I'm now preparing for the fact I will possibly get baby chicks now. So what do I need to do to have everything ready for that? The Aviary has a concrete floor, is enclosed so predators can not get in, and has a tin roof and outside awnings to protect from the elements. It is in a shaded area of our property, that consist of 3 wooded acres. I thought about letting them free range but I would worry about them becoming dinner for another wild animal since we are in the country. We had three large insulated plastic dog houses that we weren't using so we put one in there, added a flat 2x4 for them, attached it to the inside of the dog house to roost on, along with hay on the floor of it. But, now that summer is here, they sleep on top of it or in their dusting pan I put in. Will the hen go in it when she starts laying eggs or will I need something else for her? I do have incubators that are for my parrots but are also for chickens if needed. I prefer to let momma raise her own if possible. Sorry about the lengthy post, I just wanted to answer any questions someone else might have about their living conditions. Any and all suggestions are welcomed. Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. There is the possibility that the hen will eventually be over mated. A lot of that depends upon the temperament of the cockerel. There will be no chicks unless you allow the hen to set on a clutch of eggs.

 

[CindyinSD]

@mhoney6943 First, WELCOME to BYC! Great to have you here! I think and hope you’re gonna love it.

Regarding your questions... Where are you (approximately)? How hot is it? How wet/dry is it? What are your winters like? Most of us look first for a location (which you can add to your profile—as broad or specific as you like) in order to give appropriate answers.

Most modern domestic chickens are iffy when it comes to incubating eggs. Some will—some won’t. Young pullets are less likely to do a good job incubating/raising chicks—doesn’t mean they won’t, but older hens tend to be more reliable. You can expect her to start laying at around 20-24 weeks depending on breed. Her comb and wattles will turn very red. Usually it’s recommended you not set or allow the hen to brood the eggs for a month or two while her body gets the whole reproductive system up and humming along properly.

I don’t free-range my birds, but they *are* free within frequently moved electric poultry netting during the summer, in a mobile coop. So far no problems. I have a lot of birds. (Fiftyish?) If I had only two I might be more worried. They warn each other and are good about running for shelter if aerial predators fly over.

Your birds may do well, but one hen: one rooster could result in over-breeding. Chicken luv can be rough. Roos are not your 90s kinda guys as a rule. Maybe you’ll get lucky, though. It happens.

Congrats on your little flock! You’re gonna love having chickens!

 

[adickenscoop]

You dont need to have baby chicks. Just collect the eggs and you won't.

 

[mhoney6943]

@mhoney6943 First, WELCOME to BYC! Great to have you here! I think and hope you’re gonna love it.

Regarding your questions... Where are you (approximately)? How hot is it? How wet/dry is it? What are your winters like? Most of us look first for a location (which you can add to your profile—as broad or specific as you like) in order to give appropriate answers.

Most modern domestic chickens are iffy when it comes to incubating eggs. Some will—some won’t. Young pullets are less likely to do a good job incubating/raising chicks—doesn’t mean they won’t, but older hens tend to be more reliable. You can expect her to start laying at around 20-24 weeks depending on breed. Her comb and wattles will turn very red. Usually it’s recommended you not set or allow the hen to brood the eggs for a month or two while her body gets the whole reproductive system up and humming along properly.

I don’t free-range my birds, but they *are* free within frequently moved electric poultry netting during the summer, in a mobile coop. So far no problems. I have a lot of birds. (Fiftyish?) If I had only two I might be more worried. They warn each other and are good about running for shelter if aerial predators fly over.

Your birds may do well, but one hen: one rooster could result in over-breeding. Chicken luv can be rough. Roos are not your 90s kinda guys as a rule. Maybe you’ll get lucky, though. It happens.

Congrats on your little flock! You’re gonna love having chickens!

I live in South Carolina close to the mountains. Our winters aren't too bad here, where getting in the single digits isn't that often and we are lucky if we get one or two light snows a year. Summers are fairly warm/hot. it's been in the upper 90's the past few weeks. It is hotter than normal for this time of the year. I had been planning on getting a few more chickens but like my husband said, we might be having our own to raise now. I have an addiction for birds of all kinds, and these two are included in that addiction, lol. I have over 100 parrots and just started out with two, so it could end up the same way with these. It's the same way with parrots, I don't believe in over breeding so that is why we opted for a new out side aviary so they will follow the seasons unlike being in the enclosed building they were in before. I still have some smaller birds in the building but I can control their breeding with the use of lighting when necessary. I was told both of these were hens, but we all know how that goes, and if they aren't sex linked, I think its all a guessing game. I may go ahead and get a couple more hens so she doesn't feel abused, lol. So far he has been very sweet, especially with me, and I haven't see any signs of aggression at all, but he is still young. I will definitely keep a close eye on them. Thanks for responding!

 

[mhoney6943]

You dont need to have baby chicks. Just collect the eggs and you won't.

Yes, I know and plan on collecting most of them, but I still wouldn't mind some chicks. I have great success with parrots so hoping to have some with these as well.

 

[keesmom]

Yes, I know and plan on collecting most of them, but I still wouldn't mind some chicks. I have great success with parrots so hoping to have some with these as well.

If you do hatch just remember on average half of those chicks will be male, so have a plan for what to do with them.

 

[mhoney6943]

If you do hatch just remember on average half of those chicks will be male, so have a plan for what to do with them.

The lady I got these from will take them. She has a large chicken farm in NC. So no worries as to where they will go.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Over 100 parrots, wow! Different varieties? Could we get you to post some pics? I have always wanted an African grey, but at my age (mid-60's) it's a safe bet that one would outlive me. Sad face, lol.

 

[Parront]

Another owned by a parrot person here. A chicken incubator sounds like it is in your future. Best wishes, I also think chickens would be a great way to clean up expensive rejected parrot pellets!