Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[chickflick]

I stopped in at FFH in Charlotte yesterday. They have loads of chicks in. Lots of different breeds. They were unloading cornish and so many chicks were dead or dying. Worker was so upset. It was so sad to see. Had to leave. But, the other chicks looks good and healthy. Maybe just too cold to send them.

 

[wcbpolish]

Wbcpolish, I'm north of Grand Rapids as well and I'm going to be looking to add a few BO and barred rock chicks. Just 4 or 5.

If I had roosters of either breed to go with my hens, I might be able to help you. I have Polish roosters, and a couple of RI Reds. The polish are with the laying hens right now (for their own safety) and the RI Reds are semi-free-range-ish (have run of the barn, but can't really get "outside" unless I leave the door open or they get creative and go out the holes that the coons come in through)

 

[robyn8]

How do you flocks get nice roosters? We tried a BO cockerel that we got with the pullets and he was super nice to people but then was too rough with the girls and scalped one like right around the time they started to lay. Right now have an accidental silkie cockerel we got with the same batch of pullets and he's good with the ladies, protective, but tries to attack my kids and me. I know I can try to train him but I just don't have time with a puppy to also train. Is that the only route to gettgin a good one in the future? Or do people just keep sending them to freezer camp till they get a good one? I'm just thinking what's best to do next time. I've also considered just gettgin an older one from someone else that has already proven ok with people. I realize our rooster is attacking us cause he's being protective but with little kids around it's just not ok.

 

[wcbpolish]

How do you flocks get nice roosters? We tried a BO cockerel that we got with the pullets and he was super nice to people but then was too rough with the girls and scalped one like right around the time they started to lay. Right now have an accidental silkie cockerel we got with the same batch of pullets and he's good with the ladies, protective, but tries to attack my kids and me. I know I can try to train him but I just don't have time with a puppy to also train. Is that the only route to gettgin a good one in the future? Or do people just keep sending them to freezer camp till they get a good one? I'm just thinking what's best to do next time. I've also considered just gettgin an older one from someone else that has already proven ok with people. I realize our rooster is attacking us cause he's being protective but with little kids around it's just not ok.

Trial and error. Some breeds are more prone to being agressive. Silkies are generally a good bet... odd that yours is that way. I've had bad luck with barred rocks in the past.

 

[Folly's place]

Raising cockerels can be a trial! It's a combination of genetics, and then management. I will start with straight run chicks, either hatched here with a broody, or shipped, so there are several boys to choose from. I select breeds that will fit with my flock. Once the cockerels 'appear', they are not handled, petted, or hand fed at all. "I am the queen" is my attitude, and they need to respect my space at all times. If one tries to take me on, it's corrected, and watched for further episodes. I believe in trying a couple or three corrections, and then he's on the list for the freezer. I overwintered five nice roosters in my flock of 44 hens this year, all polite to people, the girls, and each other. Either chance disease issues by getting a mature rooster who's nice, or raise a group of cockerels this spring and keep a nice one. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Your children need to be safe! If toddlers, consider waiting a few years before adding a cock bird. I agree about the hatchery RIRs. Mary

 

[WalnutHill]

I have 9 or 10 roosters and a tom turkey (hard to keep track) in my flock and no mean ones, though if I snag a hen and she squawks I have several roosters giving the "gwock gwock gwock" call and watching me closely from 6-10 feet away. Those are good boys.

 

[1muttsfan]

I personally have a zero tolerance for aggression in roosters. One day some visitors to my farm were shocked when, after a Swedish Flower cockerel flogged me twice while I was collecting eggs, I promptly wrung his neck. Those genetics I do not need. Truly it is often a matter of luck, although in general RIR roos that I have been around seem to be more aggressive. I have not yet had nor heard of an Arkansas Blue rooster being aggressive to people, but there are not a lot of them around.

 

[WalnutHill]

If anyone is looking for turkey hatching eggs (heritage mixed colors) I have more than I can use right now. Have 15 on hand and getting 4-5 a day. Macomb County.

 

[Outdoorlover]

I stopped in at FFH in Charlotte yesterday. They have loads of chicks in. Lots of different breeds. They were unloading cornish and so many chicks were dead or dying. Worker was so upset. It was so sad to see. Had to leave. But, the other chicks looks good and healthy. Maybe just too cold to send them.

That is so sad!

..... If one tries to take me on, it's corrected, and watched for further episodes. I believe in trying a couple or three corrections, and then he's on the list for the freezer. ...... Mary

I can't have a rooster, but out of curiosity, can I ask you what you do to correct one?