My Chicken keeps going in and out of nesting box. And mean Roo question

[Nicechickens64]

My 17 week old black Austrolorp is in and out of the nesting box about every 3-5 min. All day today. She hasn’t started laying yet. I’m thinking she’s about to lay??. But, these are my first chickens and I’m just checking if this is normal behavior or? lol lol. I’ve also got a cream leg bar as well as a Brahma and 2 amercaunas as well as 3 beilfielders. She’s the only one doing this behavior. Lol. Her comb and waddles are bright red now!. she’s the only girl like this. I’m really hoping she’s just getting ready to start laying!!. I’ve also ended up with 3 Roosters…… I’ve got a stunning black Amercauna that has now decided he’s MEAN. I’ve got a white Amercauna Rooster who is still very nice. But, His comb and waddles are still very pale. As the mean Roo has bright red comb and waddles now. I’ve also got a beautiful black jersery giant Roo who was supposed to be the only Roo out of my chics. But, he’s got a bad leg…. Any suggestions. I’m trying to decide what Roo to keep from the jersery giant and amercauna that’s still nice. I’m just not sure if the white Amercauna will also get mean once he matures??. Anyway, I’m sorry this is so long. I’m just trying to do the right thing. Im trying rehome the one Roo, but I’m very nervous he will end up in a bad situation…

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes your Australorp's behavior indicates she might be close to laying.

I don't have roosters/cockerels so can't answer the other question, sorry.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, you are close to getting an egg.

You have way too many roosters. A good life and a quick end, is not a bad thing. If you can't give them away, start asking if you have a friend who could dispatch them, either for their own table, or to bury your self.

That many roosters will make the pullets life hell. One attacking you and one with a bad leg is just the beginning. Really don't keep any of them. Just have hens for the first year, makes for a much nice flock.

Mrs K

 

[Nicechickens64]

I agree, you are close to getting an egg.

You have way too many roosters. A good life and a quick end, is not a bad thing. If you can't give them away, start asking if you have a friend who could dispatch them, either for their own table, or to bury your self.

That many roosters will make the pullets life hell. One attacking you and one with a bad leg is just the beginning. Really don't keep any of them. Just have hens for the first year, makes for a much nice flock.

Mrs K

Hi there, thank you for your reply!!. We now have 2 beautiful eggs!!. Our sweet girl laid her first egg on the day she was acting so crazy lol lol!!. And then she laid another egg today. They are smaller beautiful light brown/ cream colored eggs. Very nice shells. And yes, we are dispatching two of the Roosters Sunday or Monday. Two of the boys are now trying to breed a couple of girls here and there. But, I know that no way should we have 3 Roosters with 10 hens. So, the stunning black Amercauna boy will go. He’s just plain MEAN. And sadly The black jersery giant boy has a very bad leg. So, he will also be dispatched. he makes me sad as he’s such a sweet boy, both with us and the hens. But, his leg is just getting worse. So, I’m really hoping the big white Ameracauna boy will stay sweet. He’s a funny boy, but, he’s still very immature his comb is still very pale. Anyway, they’ve had a great life all organic non gmo feed great treats a great coop and run and a nice safe yard to free range in. Our friend is going to show us how to dispatch humanly and butcher them. I got a cone and a scalpel to make that part as easy as possible for the Roosters. Any way thanks so much for the reply

 

[Mrs. K]

Good for you, it is not real pleasant, but your enjoyment of the flock will increase dramatically when the flock is at peace, and you are not being attacked.

 

[Nicechickens64]

I’m not looking forward to tomorrow and those tasks. But, I will be happy to not worry about getting attacked. My BO hen is acting silly today!!! In and out of the nesting box all day. Same way that my Australorp was acting a few days ago!. We now have two eggs from her. I’m really hoping dispatching the Roisters doesn’t stress the girls out. These boys are very good to these hens. Darn it….. this isn’t easy.

 

[Mrs. K]

No it is not, you will miss them more than the hens. Hens have almost no loyalty. Once, I had a mean one, and got a different one, so I dispatched the mean one, but was going to keep the new one out of the flock for a few days. Ha - those girls were up flicking their tails around the new rooster until he was so desperate he escaped and joined up with them!

Your girls won't miss either of them at all.

Mrs K

 

[Nicechickens64]

Well, I must have weird hens. They are missing the Roosters or at least Russell like crazy. The 2 Roosters went to their new home today. And I’m missing Russell like crazy. He was truly the sweetest boy. And ohno yep that was the other Roos name lol.(he was supposed to be a girl) and he was Rooster number three from supposed all female sexed chics lol lol. Well, I’m even missing ohno and he was the one who sometimes could be a jerk. But, they were both SOOOOOOO good to the girls.

 

[aart]

There is always a bit of a scuffola when you remove a birds form the flock....they'll work it out.