NHchicks
Songster
I think I may have hoarding tendencies.
I have 4 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster was a (free) addition in March because we wanted to try hatching our own chicks. We were successful, and have 7 living chicks left (1 succombed to a darn raccoon). The chicks are almost 6 weeks old and the mother has now officially dumped them.
So now I have 12 chickens in all (7 chicks/5 grown birds), and don't have room for them all. My coop is one of these: https://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/images/playhouse-coop-2.jpg
but bigger (box part is 4 x 4, entire coop is 4 x 8). They free range all day.
Anyway, the rooster starts crowing by 4 a.m. and crows on and off until about 9 a.m. He's interfering with my sleep. No neighbors have complained, and I don't know how loud he sounds to them (we're rural here). But it's summer and bright daylight and with the windows open, he's driving me crazy.
But I'm attached to him. He pals around mostly with our fat, sweet NH Red. He is a kind rooster and non-aggressive.
I called the feed store and they are willing to take any chicks/rooster I do not want. I told them I wanted to bring them my rooster and 3 of the chicks. Today we tried to catch the rooster, and gave up. First thing in the morning will probably be easier.
But I was relieved we couldn't catch the rooster because the thought of giving him up is really bothering me. On the other hand, we don't need a rooster anymore and he's crazy loud. I also find myself hesitating at giving up my chicks.
I think I need poultry therapy.
Am I alone in not bearing to give away my birds?
I have 4 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster was a (free) addition in March because we wanted to try hatching our own chicks. We were successful, and have 7 living chicks left (1 succombed to a darn raccoon). The chicks are almost 6 weeks old and the mother has now officially dumped them.
So now I have 12 chickens in all (7 chicks/5 grown birds), and don't have room for them all. My coop is one of these: https://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/images/playhouse-coop-2.jpg
but bigger (box part is 4 x 4, entire coop is 4 x 8). They free range all day.
Anyway, the rooster starts crowing by 4 a.m. and crows on and off until about 9 a.m. He's interfering with my sleep. No neighbors have complained, and I don't know how loud he sounds to them (we're rural here). But it's summer and bright daylight and with the windows open, he's driving me crazy.
But I'm attached to him. He pals around mostly with our fat, sweet NH Red. He is a kind rooster and non-aggressive.
I called the feed store and they are willing to take any chicks/rooster I do not want. I told them I wanted to bring them my rooster and 3 of the chicks. Today we tried to catch the rooster, and gave up. First thing in the morning will probably be easier.
But I was relieved we couldn't catch the rooster because the thought of giving him up is really bothering me. On the other hand, we don't need a rooster anymore and he's crazy loud. I also find myself hesitating at giving up my chicks.
I think I need poultry therapy.
Am I alone in not bearing to give away my birds?
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