Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[LeslieDJoyce]

I should add that all 41 of his chicks will be free-ranging with the laying flock, too. So far 13 are out on pasture with their broody hens (I think they're 3 weeks old, so they've been out for two weeks now). I'll have another 28 to turn out of the brooding/hatching cages in about a week. Some of those just hatched this weekend, and some were incubator hatched 11 days ago and are currently bonding with their designated broody (fingers crossed that goes well!).

We do close up the coops at night.

I've seen a coyote snatch a laying hen at high noon ... dark hens. The grab the birds that stray the furthest towards a neighboring field.

The flock is very hawk-savy, and the hawks are ever-present, noisy, and near. It freaks me out. We have seen Hawks in the ground inside the poultry area, but so far no definite evidence of a hawk death.

An owl got a couple of young ducks a few years ago. Now the ducks don't even go in at night. Ducks are weird.

So far no chick losses to any predators, but I don't fool myself.

I just hate having birds locked up in little cages (though the cockerel colony setup is VERY spacious for just one bird), which is why I'm a not a show bird person. Yet.

 

[bnjrob]

I should add that all 41 of his chicks will be free-ranging with the laying flock, too. So far 13 are out on pasture with their broody hens (I think they're 3 weeks old, so they've been out for two weeks now). I'll have another 28 to turn out of the brooding/hatching cages in about a week. Some of those just hatched this weekend, and some were incubator hatched 11 days ago and are currently bonding with their designated broody (fingers crossed that goes well!).

We do close up the coops at night.

I've seen a coyote snatch a laying hen at high noon ... dark hens. The grab the birds that stray the furthest towards a neighboring field.

The flock is very hawk-savy, and the hawks are ever-present, noisy, and near. It freaks me out. We have seen Hawks in the ground inside the poultry area, but so far no definite evidence of a hawk death.

An owl got a couple of young ducks a few years ago. Now the ducks don't even go in at night. Ducks are weird.

So far no chick losses to any predators, but I don't fool myself.

I just hate having birds locked up in little cages (though the cockerel colony setup is VERY spacious for just one bird), which is why I'm a not a show bird person. Yet.

No, being cooped up isn't always wonderful, but if they have enough room, they can still be happy. It's a pain in the butt that we have to have so many pens and very large pens, to keep the breeders in small groups with plenty of room, but it's worth it. If you're doing serious breeding for ANY trait at all, you can lose an awful lot of work in one predator attack that can set you back years for whatever you were working on. We only allow our cull birds to free range unsupervised, and after seeing how quickly those coyotes did their work this weekend, and how viciously, I was more sure than ever that the decision to keep our breeder birds locked up is the right one. Watching one of my poor little hens trying to run to the safety of the coop, dragging her entrails on the ground behind her was not my idea of an enjoyable morning.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I think something like that could ruin one's whole day. I'm sorry for your loss. Very sad.

 

[gjensen]

Confined solo males should have other birds in their sight line. They need the stimulus. Most gamecock breeders, which manage multiple males, keep them fit on grass and/or stimulated.

I keep males solo for periods of time, but I let them out on a rotation etc.

With enough space, sunshine, and fresh air, confinement is not a problem. It is being housed solo that is a concern for me.

Also, in my setting, I would not let birds out to range without secure fencing. I feel that good fencing and a good dog is ideal. I would have to confine them exclusively otherwise.

 

[finnfur]

I should add that all 41 of his chicks will be free-ranging with the laying flock, too. So far 13 are out on pasture with their broody hens (I think they're 3 weeks old, so they've been out for two weeks now). I'll have another 28 to turn out of the brooding/hatching cages in about a week. Some of those just hatched this weekend, and some were incubator hatched 11 days ago and are currently bonding with their designated broody (fingers crossed that goes well!).

We do close up the coops at night.

I've seen a coyote snatch a laying hen at high noon ... dark hens. The grab the birds that stray the furthest towards a neighboring field.

The flock is very hawk-savy, and the hawks are ever-present, noisy, and near. It freaks me out. We have seen Hawks in the ground inside the poultry area, but so far no definite evidence of a hawk death.

An owl got a couple of young ducks a few years ago. Now the ducks don't even go in at night. Ducks are weird.

So far no chick losses to any predators, but I don't fool myself.

I just hate having birds locked up in little cages (though the cockerel colony setup is VERY spacious for just one bird), which is why I'm a not a show bird person. Yet.

Yep - Freedom is never free is it ? But a lot of folks lose birds that are locked up all the time in run/coops.
Predators sometime find a way .

 

[MagicChicken]

I should add that all 41 of his chicks will be free-ranging with the laying flock, too. So far 13 are out on pasture with their broody hens (I think they're 3 weeks old, so they've been out for two weeks now). I'll have another 28 to turn out of the brooding/hatching cages in about a week. Some of those just hatched this weekend, and some were incubator hatched 11 days ago and are currently bonding with their designated broody (fingers crossed that goes well!).

We do close up the coops at night.

I've seen a coyote snatch a laying hen at high noon ... dark hens. The grab the birds that stray the furthest towards a neighboring field.

The flock is very hawk-savy, and the hawks are ever-present, noisy, and near. It freaks me out. We have seen Hawks in the ground inside the poultry area, but so far no definite evidence of a hawk death.

An owl got a couple of young ducks a few years ago. Now the ducks don't even go in at night. Ducks are weird.

So far no chick losses to any predators, but I don't fool myself.

I just hate having birds locked up in little cages (though the cockerel colony setup is VERY spacious for just one bird), which is why I'm a not a show bird person. Yet.

It depends on how much you think you will need that cockerel in your breeding program next year. If you absolutely need him, I would give him a few hens to keep him company and keep him confined. If you can afford to lose him go ahead and let him free-range.

I wouldn't let all of his chicks free-range at the same time. That is how I lost all of my most promising birds last year. All the chicks were out at the same time. Some loose dogs got through the fencing and went on a killing spree. Killed all the best birds and set my breeding program back several years. On the up side it drastically lowered my feed bill for the summer. This year I have more pens and everyone gets out on a rotating basis. I might wind up with losses but hopefully not everything at once.

Good luck!

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
Ouch. I am so sorry.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Yep - Freedom is never free is it ? But a lot of folks lose birds that are locked up all the time in run/coops.
Predators sometime find a way .

I think my most secure enclosure (from larger predators) is probably the Cull Cage.

No pasture.

 

[bnjrob]

I think my most secure enclosure (from larger predators) is probably the Cull Cage.

No pasture.

LOL. That cull cage doesn't look bad at all. Spacious and they can see out of it. You might make one for you chosen breeder birds. I would hate to have you kicking yourself because you lost your breeder birds.

 

[bnjrob]

Ouch. I am so sorry.

Thanks. It wasn't pretty. I am so glad that at least it wasn't the breeder birds. Rifle is now in faster reach and I'm in active hunting mode. These coyotes are just too brazen and that's dangerous for our cats and dogs, besides dangerous for the poultry.