New gal from NM

[hpart]

Hi everyone. I'm so glad I found this site! I am a Veterinary Asst. that now works in retail. (Farm supply store). I got into chickens because my work place carried chicks for Easter/Spring. I was incredibly mad about that for many many reasons. The first one is they sent them to us WAY to early for our climate. February- we are high desert and were still having -18 degree nights. So long story short. The chicks were not selling but were growing up on spite of that. They started pecking each other etc. I got a bunch of them based on need to get out of there without caring about breed or gender. Every one I took was injured in some way or another. Right away I had some really happy chicks and I was thrilled to death that I got them. I just didn't know how deeply I would fall in love with each one. They continued to grow and it became clear that I had a whole lot of roosters. I had two groups - full size in one- bantams in the other. I did try putting them all together but there was too much if an age difference. My leghorn roosters became horrible and sadly I had to allow a friend to take care of the problem. I was devastated. I rescue animals I don't destroy them. However peace was restored and the hens were very pleased.

Now- my bantams are doing the same thing just not as bad. There HAS to be another way! I do NOT want them killed. They are fabulous. I cannot move all the hens together because the one time I tried the big hens were horrible to the little gang. I am also not able to build a separate coop. (Borrowed property). Yes they have tons of room just not free range- too many predators. Any little tips would be so appreciated. Maybe what I am seeking is impossible- a peaceful mixed gender and breed bantam family group. . I just have a hard time believing it can't be done. All the books say simply to eliminate the roosters. Like its no big deal. To me- its s big deal.

Thanks so much. Again I am SO happy that I found this group!

Holly

 

[LovePolish2]

Welcome!!

 

[nikki1]

Could you build a makeshift partition in your run, so the chickens could see each other but not attack each other? We did that with ours for a week or so, and it eased the transition. Also, could they have some supervised free range time...like go out with them and do yard work while they peck around? Extra space really does help. If you do it at dusk, they'll probably put themselves to bed, or if you go in the run with their favorite treat, they'll probably follow you in like a pack of puppies. (I recommend meal worms or black oil sunflower seeds)

By the way, what part of NM are you in? Not that I've been there TOO often, but my very best friend in the whole world lives in Albuquerque. (and yes, I am pleased with myself that I know how to spell it!)

--Nikki

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Holly, and

! Pleased to have you with us! Nice job rescuing those chickens. The only option I can think of is to do what you said you cannot - provide separate accommodations. Would a chicken tractor be an option to keep the banty roosters away from the hens? Wouldn't take much to build and very little $$. The benefits, aside from keeping them away from the gals is that the tractor would be moveable and if made with hardware cloth, would confound most predators? Sorry, I can't think of anything else. Good luck to you!

 

[nikki1]

Oooh! and since you're on borrowed property, since a tractor is portable you could take it with you. I think that idea is golden!

 

[drumstick diva]

I think if you got rid of the banty roosters then the hens would kick up a fuss. It's always something. So that wouldn't help either. Besides when there is no rooster around, the top hen usually take's his place, some even crow.

I think the chicken tractor idea is the best to deal with them. Banty roos don't need a lot of space and if they are away from the hens, they shouldn't be squabbling about it. Let's hope anyway.

My sister moved to Albuquerque which I managed to spell right some of the time. Then after several years moved to Bernalillo - which is even harder for me to spell, I usually have the "L's wrong.

Her daughter(my niece) is in Rio Rancho - now THAT I can spell! Ta dah!!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!