Integrating a cockerel into a flock of mature hens

[Leahs Mom]

The 2 sfh boys I had were crowing non-stop. (Boys now gone.)

The 3 Buckeye boys (16 weeks old) are all quiet. I have 2 of them separated and one with the flock but still not hearing much in the crow department.

 

[islandgirl82]

The 2 sfh boys I had were crowing non-stop. (Boys now gone.)

The 3 Buckeye boys (16 weeks old) are all quiet. I have 2 of them separated and one with the flock but still not hearing much in the crow department.

Interesting...are there some breeds that are not as vocal as others?

How is your integration going?

 

[islandgirl82]

Quote:
I adore them! Ichabod likes his face massages too.

 

[aart]

I like the white with black birds, have had 2 sets of Light Brahma, all 4 named Beulah, who were/are sweethearts, only adult birds who ever came up for attention....
...but man, they are lousy layers, and I don't really care for feathered legs/feet.
Are Doms good layers?

ETA....oops, am thinking of another bird... columbian rocks look like light brahma?

 

[islandgirl82]

I like the white with black birds, have had 2 sets of Light Brahma, all 4 named Beulah, who were/are sweethearts, only adult birds who ever came up for attention....
...but man, they are lousy layers, and I don't really care for feathered legs/feet.
Are Doms good layers?

ETA....oops, am thinking of another bird... columbian rocks look like light brahma?

The Dominique hens I have are 2 years old, dual purpose and two of my most consistent layers and though they're new to me and I only have three doms in total, their personalities are fantastic. All three of them took to new people immediately and they're from two different sources.

As for Columbian Rocks and Light Brahma...I believe the Columbian Wyandotte also has a similar feather pattern, the Rocks would have straight combs (although, do some have rose?), Brahmas have the feathered legs and the Wyandottes have rose combs but I can't compare personalities on those three.

 

[Sylvester017]

Those Dom hens have become my most enthusiastic garden helpers. I often have to put my work on hold until they've left the garden as they love to be ON the shovel or fork and I worry I'll sever a toe...or worse! I get back to it when they've wandered off but I swear they have this incredible radar that lets them know the second I've picked up my tools again and are right back in the midst of things.

I can't wait for Dom babies! Given how well natured both hens were to begin with and how Ichabod is turning out to be, those babies should have exceptional temperaments.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lazy gardener

Yep, when I've had Doms, they would seek out attention. Jump up on the perch beside me and beg for a face massage. Come on the run when ever I picked up a shovel. I'm so glad you're enjoying your Doms. Hoping to get some next spring.

I have a Silkie that parks herself on my shovel waiting for the next shovel-full of dirt. I use a 2-foot tall roll of rabbit fencing to keep the chickens out of my garden beds when I'm working in them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Is it still going well?

 

[islandgirl82]

I must apologize, I've found it difficult to post an update lately.

A week ago, we lost our sweet Amelia, the Golden Spangled Hamburg who was teaching Ichabod to tidbit and sharing her roost with him. I've identified the predator as a Red-Shouldered Hawk - quite large for a hawk. It ambushed Amelia in front of my 11 year old daughter and the flock has been confined to the run ever since as I've observed the hawk lurking around the skies above the yard and perched in the trees surrounding the ambush area.

I've been kicking myself, mostly because Willie had been pestering me to go out and I was in the middle of helping the children get their backpacks all ready for their first day of school and didn't respond to him right away. My daughter took the Westie out on the leash and Willie ran straight for the scene but it was too late. We've buried her in the garden beside the benches. She is greatly missed.




Given the flock's confinement, I expected Ichabod to become more territorial but on the contrary. He seems quite content and despite not having spent as much time with people other than me, when my daughter goes into the run to spend time with the flock while she mourns, he inevitably hops up on her lap and nestles down and welcomes her attention as much as he does mine.

He's looking more mature each day and his crow has finally stopped sounding like a newborn lamb bleating and is very much a rooster crow but he hasn't lost his soft-spoken voice and his crowing is still fairly infrequent - it's nearly 10:00 a.m. here right now and he has yet to do so today. I've noticed he does it more often if there's an issue, like when the girls are bickering over who gets which branch to stand on in the run or they've run out of water or something. Otherwise, it's just a few times in the morning and he's done with it for the day and some days he doesn't crow at all.


I love this shot of him (before they were confined) but I realized he has a leaf stuck to his beak and it's placement makes him look like he has lips.

 

[islandgirl82]

 

[aart]

OhCrud!! So sorry!