Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[fuzzybutt love]

Is there any chance I can keep 2 roosters with 7 hens?  I got an accidental rooster out of the pullet bin, and while I've been mentally preparing myself to send him to freezer camp, he's just such an engaging character, I really want to keep him.  I thought to of splitting them into two groups, instead of putting them all in the large coop, but they would still have to free range together.  What are the chances that the roosters would get along? 

None if you seperate them; if the young roo respects the head roo's authority and they have plenty of room you might have a chance. Are they the same breed ? If you know it is a roo so does the big guy. Are they getting along so far?

 

[JackieandChicks]

Only you chicken people will appreciate this - part of my flock in the horse bedding storage bin .

 

[PaisyQ]

None if you seperate them; if the young roo respects the head roo's authority and they have plenty of room you might have a chance. Are they the same breed ? If you know it is a roo so does the big guy. Are they getting along so far?

They are seperate now; they actually were first introduced about 2 weeks ago, but have always been on seperate sides of a partition. The younger guy is a welsummer, the older is a mixed breed. Only thing I know for sure is he's got EE in him, since he hatched from a green egg. They don't really fight right now, just have crowing contests, and sort of stare at each other. The younger is 3 months old now, the older is 6 months old. I never really intended to keep the younger guy, once I realized he was a rooster. I just wanted to keep him around as company for the pullet I bought him with, until she was big enough to integrate into the older flock. It's just recently that I've started wishing that he wouldn't have to go.

 

[Opa]

Two roosters and co-exist quiet peacefully until they don't. There is no way to predict when this change of attitude will occur. They might have hatched from the same clutch, brooded together, feathered out in the same pen, and lived side by side for months on end with out the slightest indication of a problem. Then one day they decide that the other is a threat and the battle is on. Some roosters will be easily cowered and the "fight" won't be much more than running at, then away from the other rooster, and with some roosters they will flare at each other with spurs slashing. It is this violent behavior that gave birth to cock fighting; nature at it's more bloody and deadly.

I know that there will be people who disagree but after over 60 years around birds I don't feel it is worth the risk. Trying to separate two dueling roosters is not for the faint of heart and you can wind up even bloodier than the birds. A wound inflicted to you by a rooster's spur is a serious injury. The spur can be highly contaminated and an infection would be quite serious.

I can relate to the sorrow one feel's when having to put an animal down. Ending the life of any animal is difficult, but dogs have a special bond with us. They often live to a great age, and their entire being seems to revolve around leasing us. The connection we share with most other animals is mostly governed by food. Dogs seem to crave our attention and the more we give them the more they try to please us.

I have shot hundreds of animals since I was first allowed use of a gun 60 years ago. Most have been to provide food for the table but a few have been because of severe health issue with the animal. A few weeks ago I finally accepted that it was the kindest thing I could do for my 18 year old Jack Russell terrier Daisy. Right up until the very moment I pulled the trigger I kept trying to find ways to not destroy her.

Her pain had become unending and I know that it was the kindest thing I could do. Yet I still miss her and find myself still looking for her when I open the door. I've even gone as far as sitting a plate from the dinner table on the floor. I'm sure it is a good thing we miss them so much to make us appreciate the time we did have with them. I can only hope that when I leave this mortal coil I am missed half as much.

 

[Brennigan]

I had to unexpectedly put my dog down yesterday. It was easily the hardest, most painful decision I've ever made in my life. I'm so full of grief and guilt right now. Deep down, I know it was the right decision, but it doesnt feel that way right now. I miss him so much. I feel like I betrayed my best friend.

edited to add hes the one on the top in my avatar.

I'm so sorry to hear, Tori! Our kitty was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor, and putting down any animal always brings so much heartache -- especially when there's no time to prepare. Thinking of you and knowing only time helps to heal.

I am absolutely amazed at the difference in letting a broody do this whole baby chick process. Maia hatched the babies on Mother's Day. At 8 days old, they were already being brought outside of coop & when in run, hanging with all the big girls. Guess I'm lucky that Maia is a good mama, & the flock is so accepting!

Pix below; they are 12 days old. They are hanging with everyone else, scratching, eating grass...the one in the bottom pic is the more "adventurous" one...

Today I've noticed they aren't always right at her side...may venture off a few feet or so...this is so cool. Glad I gave her some eggs when she went broody!

I love this! Does this only work with their own eggs or could someone get fertilized eggs and put one under a broody hen? I need only one more pullet, but I can't do the chick thing with just one, and I feel like the girls would be more accepting if they thought it was hers...

 

[Opa]

Sitting on the eggs will make them hers.

 

[Spitzboyz]

First day out!!

 

[taprock]

Is there any chance I can keep 2 roosters with 7 hens? I got an accidental rooster out of the pullet bin, and while I've been mentally preparing myself to send him to freezer camp, he's just such an engaging character, I really want to keep him. I thought to of splitting them into two groups, instead of putting them all in the large coop, but they would still have to free range together. What are the chances that the roosters would get along?

If they were raised together I would say yes. I have 6 roosters who share the same coop, but they have always grown up around the others and all are different breeds. Like Opa said if they don't get along there is no changing it. One of the previous roosters I had was injured and that was enough that three of the big boys tried to kill him, it was quite awful.

Beautiful weather is finally here, but so are the blackflies!

 

[preciouskitty]

If they were raised together I would say yes.  I have 6 roosters who share the same coop, but they have always grown up around the others and all are different breeds.  Like Opa said if they don't get along there is no changing it.  One of the previous roosters I had was injured and that was enough that three of the big boys tried to kill him, it was quite awful. 

Gotta agree on this one. My 3 roosters grew up together. It was at the 1 yr mark where things started to change. Roo (NHR) had always been the sweetest, & turned evil, not just toward the other 2, but to us, too. Also, he was never quite as proficient at his romantic advances (pretty rough on the girls); he went to camp. He had injured Blackie, who I brought in the house for about a week. That's all it took for he & Bigboy to not want to co-exist in harmony with the 10 girls. Sometimes their "fighting" was humorous. Chasing each other to the point of exhaustion across 11 acres...BUT, it also did start to get to the flared up, violent point. THAT was NOT pretty. I feel very fortunate that Blackie was adopted & now has his own harem. Both BB & Blackie are excellent at taking care of the girls (& are very pretty EE Roos).

I gave Maia 6 eggs from Partridge (EE) & 6 from Lela (BCM); yep she definitely considers them "hers". New to the broody thing, but, I'm assuming you could pretty much never give them their own eggs as they quit laying when they are broody!

 

[fuzzybutt love]

You know, i have noticed that the ones that are not good with the ladies seem to be the ones that "turn" a year down the line.

I have had decent luck with this last batch of roos; problem is that the big guy is TOO mellow and was giving the young guy free reign with the ladies, and it got to the point it was even in the nest boxes! Junior's dad had to be put down this spring because he was ok free ranging but i could not go near his coop and there is a new kid in the area who i caught snooping at the coop door. Had he opened it henry was roosting at eye level!!! So his over zealous son is seperated with an older hen, watching him. If he does not settle his hormones.... but since the seperation blue won't tolerate him in the same part of the yard. Blue was an auction boy, i'd guess at least 4-6 months old but he has been mellow from the start.
Mine are shot and buried if i can't keep them. Too hard to find good homes. Once in a while i get lucky.