Keeping Chickens Free Range

[FarmgateTx]

If I let one of my hens raise chicks in the spring the rest of the flock will accept them won't they?

I also wondered........ if one of my pullets is really a rooster then at what age will he begin acting like a rooster?

Thanks!

I can reply to both questions from my own experience.

The hen will protect the chicks and for the most part, other chickens won't mess with a happy mother hen for fear of making her into a monster that protects her young. Nothing like the scorn of a Mom.

I have about 10 roosters ranging from a couple of months old to 8 months old. As chicks, the roo's started becoming dominate early. Most were able to be picked out of the flock by 3 months just by their tail feathers. By 4 month, they were on a search and conquer mission with the hens and this was before they started crowing.

 

[vpatt]

Well maybe this one is not a roo .....I was hoping for one. He is about five months and I'm just not able to tell.

 

[islandgirl82]

Well maybe this one is not a roo .....I was hoping for one. He is about five months and I'm just not able to tell.

Saddle feathers will stick out like a sore thumb even if the tail feathers aren't as obvious (my cockerel lost his long sickle feathers for a while before the new grew in). Take a look at the feathers on the back of the bird in question. Starting between the wings and going to the base of the tail, a cockerel/rooster will have long, thin, pointed feathers that drape over either side of the bird whereas pullets/hens will have feathers that are short, rounded tips and tight to the body.

Hackle feathers are another indication. They're the feathers around the neck and they, like saddle feathers, are long, thin and pointed on a male and shorter, rounded tip and tight to the body on a female. Sometimes it can be a little harder to tell with the hackles because feather patterns can be pointy when the actual feather tip is rounded.

 

[vpatt]

Saddle feathers will stick out like a sore thumb even if the tail feathers aren't as obvious (my cockerel lost his long sickle feathers for a while before the new grew in).  Take a look at the feathers on the back of the bird in question.  Starting between the wings and going to the base of the tail, a cockerel/rooster will have long, thin, pointed feathers that drape over either side of the bird whereas pullets/hens will have feathers that are short, rounded tips and tight to the body. 

Hackle feathers are another indication.  They're the feathers around the neck and they, like saddle feathers, are long, thin and pointed on a male and shorter, rounded tip and tight to the body on a female.  Sometimes it can be a little harder to tell with the hackles because feather patterns can be pointy when the actual feather tip is rounded. 

I'll try to check out the feathers tomorrow, but I'm thinking if I haven't seen a difference that maybe it is a she.
Thank you for the help.

 

[islandgirl82]

I'll try to check out the feathers tomorrow, but I'm thinking if I haven't seen a difference that maybe it is a she.
Thank you for the help.

You're welcome.

If you haven't noticed any difference in either appearance or behavior than you likely do have all pullets. Cockerels/roosters tend to carry themselves differently, with a more upright posture...just a larger presence and that was very apparent in mine from day one. In addition to feathering, the legs tend to be thicker/longer on males. I think some of these differences are more obvious in some breeds than others though. As for crowing, my boy hatched in early June and he only started trying out his voice a few days ago (around 5 months of age). From what I understand, they can start using their voices considerably younger and others not until they're older. Certain breeds will mature faster than others and even so, it still depends on the individual.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Well, GREAT news!

I put a slight crack in the back porch window, moved some kindling boxes around, draped a torn horse blanket atop some props so a cubby hole on 1 side….. Last night only had one hen, the older roo, inside it. Tonight, everyone, save the Younger Roo & One of the older hans, PRs, who are still roosting in the nearby tree.

The 3 hen size hen hutch has plywood on 2 sides now, with plans for more insulation.Found some thick plywood for W side where wind is strongest. Each time I go in that direction, someone wants to know what is all the fuss is about, usually the Leghorn.
Last winter, she was placed with others in a wood boxes during one of the severely cold nights; She took a beating for Mom's lack of observation.
Snow & 10-20's in temps so considering this a a BIG HURRAH! Oh, one egg today too.
Be thankful for the good, the bad don't sting as much that way…..

 

[vpatt]

You're welcome.

If you haven't noticed any difference in either appearance or behavior than you likely do have all pullets. Cockerels/roosters tend to carry themselves differently, with a more upright posture...just a larger presence and that was very apparent in mine from day one. In addition to feathering, the legs tend to be thicker/longer on males.  I think some of these differences are more obvious in some breeds than others though. As for crowing, my boy hatched in early June and he only started trying out his voice a few days ago (around 5 months of age).  From what I understand, they can start using their voices considerably younger and others not until they're older. Certain breeds will mature faster than others and even so, it still depends on the individual.   

Well there are some things ive noticed....but I can't see differences in the feathers....maybe soon? I don't know the exact age......I will keep waiting for a crow or an egg.

 

[Tikkijane]

Yep but it didn't work so this weekend we took the nesting boxes out and put a board in the corner of the coop with hay on top and under it to see if they will lay there. It's kinda like what they are used to laying in in the barn where they keep goin but shouldn't. Hoping this works!!

Good luck!

 

[Tikkijane]

If I let one of my hens raise chicks in the spring the rest of the flock will accept them won't they?

I also wondered........ if one of my pullets is really a rooster then at what age will he begin acting like a rooster?

Thanks!

I've never had a problem. It depends on your setup. I've had mine hatch in the coop and then moved to the grow-out and then integrated, or grown insisw the house and then introduced. Mama usually does a good job protecting and making sure they don't get bullied.

I've also had mama-less chicks that did just fine. I introduce outside for a while, supervised, and then get them to bed with the big kids at some point.
I

 

[Tikkijane]

In my experience you can't allow yourself to feel safe thinking predators will only come out at a certain time. We had a bobcat who killed a total of 4 of our chickens by coming out anytime between noon and 5:00 PM.

I thought they only hunted in the evening or at night, but we caught him coming and going at all times of the day, until someone caught him for good.

When they're hungry, they will do things that are out of character.

Ours sits at the end of the driveway, all different times of the day. We've got dogs that are out randomly, so that seems to help the most.