Keeping Chickens Free Range

[SmColorInDaPan]

Is it normal for a rooster to sleep on a perch outside the coop? My guy only sleeps inside when it's raining. Even when it's cold he stays outside in the run, about 4 feet from the coop. I can't train him to go inside for the life of me. Is he just keeping a watch out or does he just not like it inside?

'Normal' is a setting on the dryer/washer. He sounds protective of the flock, perching so should something try the door, talons & all will come down on it!
Sadly, I think I lost my last hen last night to a bobcat. Will try for many more next Spring.....Not sure Mini Bantam Roo will make winter in his tree, but
"C' est la vie!!

 

[T-traveler]

Our two roosters always went inside with the girls at night. However, the two boys tended to gang up on a few of the girls and we decided to quarantine them outside in the run where they slept on a perch. They seemed quite content outside.

 

[Attila the Hen]

I don't fully understand the set up where the roo is sleeping outside. If it is a protected area from predators I would let them do what they want. If it isn't I would put them inside. period.

My first rooster would not have let me handle him and would have been aggressive if I hadn't "forced" myself on him. I would put on a long sleeved shirt, pick him up and put him on my lap and tell him how beautiful he was etc. I think the indignity of it all tamed him. I always trusted him after we went through that process. Even my little mean sultan will surrender if I pick him up because I have to.

 

[vpatt]

I'll think about this.....i would really prefer putting them in the freezer so i am not feeding them. But i dont want to do the deed myself.

 

[lazy gardener]

Are you ok with processing a bird after it's dead? I finally worked up the gumption to do my own culling this summer. My hubby is a softie, and is so not a farmer. So, even though he would do the Axe Man detail, I knew it was a hardship for him. So, I tried the broomstick, and found that it was manageable for me. I had him stand by the first couple of times, just in case I botched it. But, I found that I could even manage my biggest roosters by myself. Definitely can think of about a million things I'd rather be doing. But, IMO, if I'm gonna keep poultry, I need to be responsible for beginning to end. Since processing my roos, I have a freezer full of meat, and have cut my feed bill in half. Not to mention... not as much disrupted sleep. Jack (my avatar) crows a lot, but that's nothing compared to the competition between 12 cockrels!!

 

[vpatt]

Are you ok with processing a bird after it's dead?  I finally worked up the gumption to do my own culling this summer.  My hubby is a softie, and is so not a farmer.  So, even though he would do the Axe Man detail, I knew it was a hardship for him.  So, I tried the broomstick, and found that it was manageable for me.  I had him stand by the first couple of times, just in case I botched it.  But, I found that I could even manage my biggest roosters by myself.  Definitely can think of about a million things I'd rather be doing.  But, IMO, if I'm gonna keep poultry, I need to be responsible for beginning to end.  Since processing my roos, I have a freezer full of meat, and have cut my feed bill in half.  Not to mention... not as much disrupted sleep.  Jack (my avatar) crows a lot, but that's nothing compared to the competition between 12 cockrels!!

I think i could do everything else......but i would need to read up on it to be sure i do it right. I actually have a grandson who said he would shoot them.......but i will need to check that out, too. I don't want him to blow them into the next county.

 

[T-traveler]

I think i could do everything else......but i would need to read up on it to be sure i do it right. I actually have a grandson who said he would shoot them.......but i will need to check that out, too. I don't want him to blow them into the next county.

I just processed my first two a couple of days ago. I did a lot of research on this site and others. There's a lot of info out there. My wife originally wasn't going to participate, but after I got all set up to process our two roosters, she showed up outside saying that she is now a chicken farmer and was determined to help with the hard work as well as the fun stuff. She's such a trooper She was tired of being awakened early in the morning and there's no sense feeding birds that aren't giving anything back in return. It actually went pretty well. Now that I've done a couple, I won't be as reluctant to do more when it's necessary to cull the flock next year.

 

[lazy gardener]

I think i could do everything else......but i would need to read up on it to be sure i do it right. I actually have a grandson who said he would shoot them.......but i will need to check that out, too. I don't want him to blow them into the next county.

If you could do the rest of it, set aside a day, get yourself an emotional support buddy, and try processing just 1. Donrae did her first one just last week (or was it this week) She's got a pic of the process. If she can do it, you can do it. If I can do it, you can do it.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

My GP DR, is a chicken man. He says if you hold them up by the feet, claws, they are quite calm, slit their throats, they bleed out, period. Thankfully, my LAST HEN IS OKAY this morning

although I am now worried for a cat.

 

[slordaz]

an older lady thats processed her own for 70 year came out to come out so we could learn, made it looks so easy.

had boiling water ready before she took them one by one

She just lightly held the chicken down on the ground and slit throat, chickens didn't move even once

then she'd toss them in the hot water and we had to pluck all the feathers not my favorite but will get used to it

She said be very careful though not to nick the gizzard as it is like poison