How Should I Grow My Flock?

[Welshies]

A quick little backstory...
I have one unmuffed, unbearded EE rooster (very large, 8 pounds), and four Cuckoo Marans hens. They are all a year old now. Great layers, wonderful flock, my rooster is protective.
Last fall I hatched out 9 chicks under my black copper Marans broody hen. I integrated them to the flock at 4 weeks of age. They are 10 weeks old now and I only have 6 (3 died to the cold- the rooster seems to purposefully force all except 2 cockerels to segregate themselves), only 2 of which are pullets.
I want to grow my flock, so I produce lots of fertile eggs to sell. Needless to say, the chick venture was a bust. They don't seem to be fitting in, they have been frostbitten, one has a broken leg, and only 2 are pullets. They are seperated, in a dog cage, under a heat lamp right now.
I considered selling my chicks, and I still am, but the 4 cockerels were meant to be meat... something I promised my family. Plus, they're only 6-10 weeks away from laying... or so I hope...
I might be considering selling just my two pullets, and keeping the cockerels to eat.
I want to grow my flock with pure breeds- preferably more Marans, or some Easter Egger hens, as either of those would produce a high-demand olive or blue egg layer.
Should I keep my pullets, or sell them? Should I buy hatching eggs, or chicks, or young layers? I have a homemade incubator, but I'm also trying to grow my quail flock... which I do by use of an incubator.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Last fall I hatched out 9 chicks under my black copper Marans broody hen. I integrated them to the flock at 4 weeks of age. They are 10 weeks old now and I only have 6 (3 died to the cold- the rooster seems to purposefully force all except 2 cockerels to segregate themselves), only 2 of which are pullets.

So why didn't your broody integrate the chicks on her own from day 1?

My rooster protects my chicks and call them to treats. In their best interest to do so since they might be his offspring.

At what age did your 3 supposedly die from the cold? Can you actually see the break on the leg, or just assuming because it can't walk?

If you are suffering from frostbite... I suggest 1) better ventilation to your coop. Moisture build up is what *usually* causes the issue. and 2) switch to breeds with pea combs or that smaller type. You can still produce olive eggers with a lighter brown egg color. On top of that people sell their first gen olive eggers not even knowing if they lay olive eggs. One of mine laid darker eggs than the pure Marans that came in her bunch.

In theory you could be sex linking your chicks with the cuckoo ladies if your rooster is dark or mostly solid colors.

I would... eat the boys as agreed to by your family, it's a challenging but rewarding thing to do your first time. And gives a MUCH better appreciation of where our food comes from. I would keep the pullets if you have room, for at least their first lay season since you are excited to get the eggs. Plus you can see how your color outcome would be. The pullets here would sell for $25-30 if sold during their first year or when there is still a fair amount of laying to take place before the second seasons' molt. So get some of the eggs and still sell for the same value as now but later.

If I gad a hen who couldn't successfully integrate without the rooster causing issues... he'd be the FIRST to take a long hot bath with some aromatic herbs and veggies!

If you took them away from her and raised yourself then tried to integrate... that's human error and cruel IMO to let a hen set and lose condition only to have her chicks stolen... which I see people do all the time.

Whether you buy hatching eggs, chicks, or young layers... depends on your goals and time frame. I HIGHLY suggest quarantine in case an illness hasn't yet presented itself as many things do have a fairly long incubation period. And if you want pure bred blue layer, why not actual Ameraucana instead of EE?

I would buy chicks over eggs. People seem to want almost the same price as a chick with no guarantee of hatch or gender. Getting something you know the gender of can definitely speed your goal. But I have more attachment and commitment to animals I raised from very young, if they happen to present with behavioral or other issues.

If you can't institute a proper quarantine and can't afford to lose your whole flock, then I would consider getting eggs or INCUBATOR chicks ONLY from NPIP sources. But I don't know if you guys have a program like that to HELP (not eliminate) the spread of certain diseases.

Anyways, these are just my thoughts. Your goals and thought may change as you go along. Mine sure have!

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Since the two pullets are separated, I'd try slowly re-introducing them to the flock and see how it goes. as for the roosters, maybe make a separate coop for growing out meat birds?

As for expanding you flock, I'd first figure out why your current flock isn't accepting newbies; integrating too quickly, health issues, inadequate food/water supply etc. Before adding anymore birds.

 

[Welshies]

So why didn't your broody integrate the chicks on her own from day 1?

My rooster protects my chicks and call them to treats. In their best interest to do so since they might be his offspring.

At what age did your 3 supposedly die from the cold? Can you actually see the break on the leg, or just assuming because it can't walk?

If you are suffering from frostbite... I suggest 1) better ventilation to your coop. Moisture build up is what *usually* causes the issue. and 2) switch to breeds with pea combs or that smaller type. You can still produce olive eggers with a lighter brown egg color. On top of that people sell their first gen olive eggers not even knowing if they lay olive eggs. One of mine laid darker eggs than the pure Marans that came in her bunch.

In theory you could be sex linking your chicks with the cuckoo ladies if your rooster is dark or mostly solid colors.

I would... eat the boys as agreed to by your family, it's a challenging but rewarding thing to do your first time. And gives a MUCH better appreciation of where our food comes from. I would keep the pullets if you have room, for at least their first lay season since you are excited to get the eggs. Plus you can see how your color outcome would be. The pullets here would sell for $25-30 if sold during their first year or when there is still a fair amount of laying to take place before the second seasons' molt. So get some of the eggs and still sell for the same value as now but later.

If I gad a hen who couldn't successfully integrate without the rooster causing issues... he'd be the FIRST to take a long hot bath with some aromatic herbs and veggies!

If you took them away from her and raised yourself then tried to integrate... that's human error and cruel IMO to let a hen set and lose condition only to have her chicks stolen... which I see people do all the time.

Whether you buy hatching eggs, chicks, or young layers... depends on your goals and time frame. I HIGHLY suggest quarantine in case an illness hasn't yet presented itself as many things do have a fairly long incubation period. And if you want pure bred blue layer, why not actual Ameraucana instead of EE?

I would buy chicks over eggs. People seem to want almost the same price as a chick with no guarantee of hatch or gender. Getting something you know the gender of can definitely speed your goal. But I have more attachment and commitment to animals I raised from very young, if they happen to present with behavioral or other issues.

If you can't institute a proper quarantine and can't afford to lose your whole flock, then I would consider getting eggs or INCUBATOR chicks ONLY from NPIP sources. But I don't know if you guys have a program like that to HELP (not eliminate) the spread of certain diseases.

Anyways, these are just my thoughts. Your goals and thought may change as you go along. Mine sure have!

I had the broody seperated because my handicapped hen tried to hatch out two chicks and killed them.
My 3 died at 6 weeks old, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks old. My one chick had a broken leg for sure. You could see it. I splinted it and it's almost healed...
I have just fine ventilation. I have not had frostbite this year even in -47° celsius. It was last year my roo lost his entire comb. And the chicks... are chicks. They are tiny.
I do have a small combed breed, thanks. I can't afford replacing my entire flock- and even if I could, I wouldn't. I love my birds. They are not a business, but a hobby.

 

[Welshies]

Since the two pullets are separated, I'd try slowly re-introducing them to the flock and see how it goes. as for the roosters, maybe make a separate coop for growing out meat birds?

As for expanding you flock, I'd first figure out why your current flock isn't accepting newbies; integrating too quickly, health issues, inadequate food/water supply etc. Before adding anymore birds.

They were with the flock... all the chicks were. But the rooster was chasing them and they are injured so I seperated them inside of the coop. Only 2 cockerels were roosting. The other ones were huddling in the cold corner of the nest box, resulting in a frozen death.
I integrate over the course of a couple to four weeks. No health issues. My birds all get free choice food and water in two different bowls for each. I have about 10 square feet of space per bird in the coop.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

They were with the flock... all the chicks were. But the rooster was chasing them and they are injured so I seperated them inside of the coop. Only 2 cockerels were roosting. The other ones were huddling in the cold corner of the nest box, resulting in a frozen death.
I integrate over the course of a couple to four weeks. No health issues. My birds all get free choice food and water in two different bowls for each. I have about 10 square feet of space per bird in the coop.

Sounds like your rooster needs to learn some manners.

 

[Welshies]

Sounds like your rooster needs to learn some manners.

He didn't injure them. He chases them occasionally, but they aren't really fitting in which is ultimately their own fault. He's a great gentleman to his ladies though.

 

[keesmom]

If the pullets aren't fitting in with the flock sell them if you can, or just eat them.

I'd skip the hatching eggs. Too much of a gamble. At least with chicks or started birds you have something to show for your investment. Then you can hatch your own from there.

I assume you looked around and found that olive or blue egg layers are in demand in your area? It really varies by location.

 

[Welshies]

If the pullets aren't fitting in with the flock sell them if you can, or just eat them.

I'd skip the hatching eggs. Too much of a gamble. At least with chicks or started birds you have something to show for your investment. Then you can hatch your own from there.

I assume you looked around and found that olive or blue egg layers are in demand in your area? It really varies by location.

Well they aren't big enough to be eaten yet... 6-10 more weeks.
And yes, I did. They are in high demand, now I just have to find easter eggers or ameraucanas.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I had the broody seperated because my handicapped hen tried to hatch out two chicks and killed them.
My 3 died at 6 weeks old, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks old. My one chick had a broken leg for sure. You could see it. I splinted it and it's almost healed...
I have just fine ventilation. I have not had frostbite this year even in -47° celsius. It was last year my roo lost his entire comb. And the chicks... are chicks. They are tiny.
I do have a small combed breed, thanks. I can't afford replacing my entire flock- and even if I could, I wouldn't. I love my birds. They are not a business, but a hobby.

Wow, my apologies! I did not mean to be offensive. Reading back I can see how it MIGHT have come across that way.


Ok so (again, reading back) it was your boy who has a pea comb that got frost and your girls with straight combs did not. See something new all the time.

I suggest 1) better ventilation to your coop. Moisture build up is what *usually* causes the issue. and 2) switch to breeds with pea combs or that smaller type.

Suggest and usually, means I didn't accuse you of anything but mentioned it as a possibility. Usually means I didn't say that IS your problem.

I can't afford replacing my entire flock

Switch does not have to mean get rid of your current birds. I thought you were talking about adding more.

I want to grow my flock with pure breeds- preferably more Marans, or some Easter Egger hens,

Easter Eggers are anything BUT pure, that is why your boy doesn't have a beard/muffs. There is no standard set for them. Either way, that is my take and I'm sorry that I misunderstood you. I thought you were open to suggestions and discussion.

A GOOD rooster doesn't just have good manners to the ladies but towards the whole flock and people.

Sorry for your losses. You are much braver than me to set a broken leg. Curious about pain management and recover but please don't reply ...

I can see when my input and opportunity to learn something new aren't welcome. I will butt out and unsubscribe. But no hard feelings here, sorry I stepped on your toes!

Best wishes!