How Urgent is Egg-Laying?

[Bawkbok]

That's exactly how I feel! I'm learning by trial by error, with heavy emphasis on "error". I'm just so thankful for this forum and all the folks willing to help with their advice.

We also jumped into the deep end of the pool without doing much research. It's how I learn a new effort best - just do it and learn as you go. I didn't find this forum until I was a year into the adventure. I saved my pennies, so to speak, tightened in the belt even more and bought a bigger coop. You obviously love and care for them and their well being and that is going to propel you forward. The chickens don't know any better. The disadvantage with not having a bigger space for all of them to roost together is that, well, they don't get to roost together. At least they can all see each other and they are safe. Keep your eyes and ears open for storage sheds on sale, which can be modified to serve as chicken coops. Check out the chicken coop thread on this site for inspiration and ideas.

 

[angc11]

Just wondering, do you only have a flock of 2 cockerels and 1 pullet? If yes, how old are they and how did you end up with that ratio of 2 males to 1 female?

 

[KWestVA]

Just wondering, do you only have a flock of 2 cockerels and 1 pullet? If yes, how old are they and how did you end up with that ratio of 2 males to 1 female?

Yes.

This was kind of a rescue situation: some neighbors had fertilized eggs they were going to throw away because they had the maximum number of backyard chickens allowed in our town, so I took them on a whim, bought an incubator that did all the work, and had zero expectation of any success - until four of the eggs actually hatched (one chick passed away the first week). By the time the "chicks" were identifiable as M/F, I was already attached.

I realize this violates the natural order, but I've read some articles about roosters coexisting peacefully, so I'm taking it one day at a time. Things started to get tense at the end of their brooder period, but once I got the free-range and cage routine set up, it settled down. I have to yell at the boys every couple of days for giving Blondie unwanted attention, but she is able to take care of herself outside because she is the better flier (being smaller); additionally, the cockerels foil each other by defending her against each other.

My 15-year-old dog Ginger is also a member of the flock.