Howdy, from Dripping Springs, Texas

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Gary Willson

Gary Willson

In the Brooder
5 Years
Dec 19, 2014
44
5
26
Hi,

Thank you for letting me join your group. I don't have my chickens yet, but I've finished my coop and am anxious to buy some teenagers.

We've been in the Austin Texas area for about a year and a half. We moved from Houston where I had two Production Red hens. My dogs killed them shortly before we moved.

I plan to get about 4 pullets and a rooster. Looking forward to learning and sharing with you all.


Here is my coop.



 
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Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. My wife and I were both raised in the great state of Texas. I'm sorry about the loss of your Production Reds. If you are going to keep a rooster, I would suggest getting more than 4 hens to go with him. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature, too many roosters (or not enough hens in your case) will become very hard physically on your hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially seriously injuring them. The only reason you need a rooster is to fertilize eggs for hatching, and 1 rooster can easily handle 10 hens in this regard. I currently have 25 hens and no roosters in my flock, and I get loads of eggs without all the aggression, biting and feather plucking, feeding of non-productive mouths, crowing in the middle of the night, drop off in egg production, over-breeding and battering of hens that goes along with having roosters (especially too many). My hens are stress free and enjoying life without a rooster around. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. What kind of chickens are you planning to get?
 
Thanks folks ! I wanted a rooster to remind me of being back on the farm. I love the sound of a rooster crowing at daybreak. However, I'll rethink getting one unless I decide to get more hens. Thanks for the advice. @Michael OShay
 

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