So, how old are your "crowing" roosters? I'm trying to figure out the difference in ages between our chickens. It seems like I got mine a couple weeks after you and I think I heard my Dark Brahma cockerel make a funny-sounding noise, today. He is SO FUNNY to watch, because he does try to protect his girls! They don't really want the "protecting," though. Took on our Springer Spaniel "bird dog," today. (She's not much of a bird dog-only crows and robins on the back lawn). He pecked her right on the nose-SO FUNNY! She didn't know what to think of that!! She still didn't run away, though.Chickens are settling into my yard plan quite nicely. I honestly don't know how I did any gardening before I got them! Their coop is within 2 paces of my garden. Every green thing I've cleaned up from my yard gets thrown into their run area for them to work over. Same with lawn clippings. I expect that by the time summer is over, I'll have about a foot of rich compost to put on the garden, then will start the process all over again for the winter months. Coop is habitable, but still needs some work. The chickens are extremely laid back about having noisy power tools invading their space... in fact, I have to be careful because several of them are in danger of getting their beaks nicked by the drill because they are so interested in what I'm doing. Today, I got their ramp and an other perch installed. Hubby installed a "porch" connecting their pop-door to their ramp. I caught my husband hand delivering a dandelion loaded with ants... and talking to them... this from the guy who DOES NOT want anything to do with chickens, and only tolerates them because he is such a tolerant guy.
Any one have recommendations re: getting rid of a yellow jacket nest in my bales of mulch hay without destroying the usefulness of the hay?? I'm chipping away at the pile, trying to locate the nest. Of course it would be where I need to plant my peas. Got the regular ones in, still need to do sugar snaps.
Also, never having had roosters before, I'm not sure what to expect. I have 3 big roosters, and at least 1 if not all 3 of my Doms are roos. Not sure about the 3 "araucanas". For the most part, they all get along, no blood shed yet. How long can I expect to leave them all together before things get nasty? They are crowing. The roosters don't share their goodies with the girls... as a matter of fact, they are bullies when it comes to treats. I've not seen any indication that any of them would rise to the occasion to defend the flock. Can I expect to keep them all together until they get to 4 - 5 months before I eat them??? Do those of you who raise roosters for meat keep them with your hens, or do you keep them in a separate grow out pen. Is there less fighting if the roosters are segregated?