NY chicken lover!!!!

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: How about Mellow Fellow ...or Hippie or Mr Mellow or Marsh Mellow

 

[nposluszny]

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long, things here were very busy, Grandpa moved in with us ,I've changed shifts several times, started remodeling the old summer kitchen, etc. I have 3 questions revolving around the sad death of my rooster, Sir Fredrick Mercury, this past Friday. He bravely defended the hens against an unleashed dog (long story, that animal and it's owner are gone and no longer welcome at our property) and passed away while I was trying to give him some water and clean him up. All the hens survived unscathed - they got away into some thick bushes - but all of us are now at a complete loss without his friendly crowing and good nature....so here we go.

1) He was so good natured, that I am wondering if I incubated any of the hen's eggs, what are my odds of getting a good natured roo out of one of them? He was mainly a SLW, something else mixed in. My hens are RIRs, ISA browns and white Leghorns. The ISA's are by far the sweetest birds, my RIRs are aloof and the Leghorns....I'd rather avoid, they are psychotic. All of the hens were raised by hand in the house so no broody involved to change their attitudes.

2) If I gathered just laid eggs from the girls today, would they be viable or has it been too long? He was quite good with all the girls, appears that every egg so far has been fertile, that little stud! He left us late in the afternoon on Saturday, I hope I'm still good!

3) How do I tell the ISA eggs from the RIR eggs? The white Leghorns, not a problem. The others, a small problem. The only way I can tell that they are from different breeds is that some are a light, basic grocery store egg of brown (occasionally almost a creme color) and the others are a deeper, caramel color, occasionally with dark brown speckles. I want to say the lighter eggs are the ISAs but know that there are more experienced chicken people out there.

I cannot thank you enough for any help that might be offered. The entire family is wrecked by this, as he was the only one we named and was really turning out to be quite a wonderful guy!

He loved the little field trip days, where we penned them off to help Ma weed out the future garden plots.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long, things here were very busy, Grandpa moved in with us ,I've changed shifts several times, started remodeling the old summer kitchen, etc. I have 3 questions revolving around the sad death of my rooster, Sir Fredrick Mercury, this past Friday. He bravely defended the hens against an unleashed dog (long story, that animal and it's owner are gone and no longer welcome at our property) and passed away while I was trying to give him some water and clean him up. All the hens survived unscathed - they got away into some thick bushes - but all of us are now at a complete loss without his friendly crowing and good nature....so here we go. 1) He was so good natured, that I am wondering if I incubated any of the hen's eggs, what are my odds of getting a good natured roo out of one of them? He was mainly a SLW, something else mixed in. My hens are RIRs, ISA browns and white Leghorns. The ISA's are by far the sweetest birds, my RIRs are aloof and the Leghorns....I'd rather avoid, they are psychotic. All of the hens were raised by hand in the house so no broody involved to change their attitudes. 2) If I gathered just laid eggs from the girls today, would they be viable or has it been too long? He was quite good with all the girls, appears that every egg so far has been fertile, that little stud! He left us late in the afternoon on Saturday, I hope I'm still good! 3) How do I tell the ISA eggs from the RIR eggs? The white Leghorns, not a problem. The others, a small problem. The only way I can tell that they are from different breeds is that some are a light, basic grocery store egg of brown (occasionally almost a creme color) and the others are a deeper, caramel color, occasionally with dark brown speckles. I want to say the lighter eggs are the ISAs but know that there are more experienced chicken people out there. I cannot thank you enough for any help that might be offered. The entire family is wrecked by this, as he was the only one we named and was really turning out to be quite a wonderful guy! He loved the little field trip days, where we penned them off to help Ma weed out the future garden plots.

incubate and cross your fingers. Until you have an older boy I have one you can come get free of charge. He's sweet just too many boys here. He is 1/2 WL and 1/2 spitzhauben. There are 2 to choose from or take both.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

How about Mellow Fellow ...or Hippie or Mr Mellow or Marsh Mellow

MR.HIPPIE!!!! Yup that's it. Thank you Gramma..

 

[Chicken girl 15]

WHOEVER TURNED THE HEAT OFF IS ON MY HIT LIST!!! I'M COLD TURN THE SUN BACK ON!! OK I'm finished yelling.

 

[nposluszny]

Thank you for the offer, I'll ask the family. I have a longtime friend trying to give me a barred rock roo, I dunno what to think. No one really talks about the boys temperments on the breed review page, but Mom and Dad like the coloring he has. Freddie will be a **** tough act to follow. Do you have a photo, by chance?

 

[tao chick]

Thank you for the offer, I'll ask the family.  I have a longtime friend trying to give me a barred rock roo, I dunno what to think.  No one really talks about the boys temperments on the breed review page, but Mom and Dad like the coloring he has.  Freddie will be a **** tough act to follow.  Do you have a photo, by chance?

I would trust Chickengirls judgment of rooster character. She wouldn't give you a bad roo.

The eggs from your hens should be fertile for up to 3 weeks with the best chances being within the first week. I'd incubate all the eggs on Friday that have been laid between now and then. In 8 weeks (+ 3week incubating) you'll have a good idea of what chicks are worth keeping and which to sell or give away.

I also have Brabanter roosters if you want them. You're not too far from me (Ilion) if you want to visit and let me know. I was going to send them to freezer camp on Wednesday. They're friendly enough, but I have too many. They aren't as large as a SLW but have cool spangles.

 

[Lapeerian]

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long, things here were very busy, Grandpa moved in with us ,I've changed shifts several times, started remodeling the old summer kitchen, etc. I have 3 questions revolving around the sad death of my rooster, Sir Fredrick Mercury, this past Friday. He bravely defended the hens against an unleashed dog (long story, that animal and it's owner are gone and no longer welcome at our property) and passed away while I was trying to give him some water and clean him up. All the hens survived unscathed - they got away into some thick bushes - but all of us are now at a complete loss without his friendly crowing and good nature....so here we go.

1) He was so good natured, that I am wondering if I incubated any of the hen's eggs, what are my odds of getting a good natured roo out of one of them? He was mainly a SLW, something else mixed in. My hens are RIRs, ISA browns and white Leghorns. The ISA's are by far the sweetest birds, my RIRs are aloof and the Leghorns....I'd rather avoid, they are psychotic. All of the hens were raised by hand in the house so no broody involved to change their attitudes.

2) If I gathered just laid eggs from the girls today, would they be viable or has it been too long? He was quite good with all the girls, appears that every egg so far has been fertile, that little stud! He left us late in the afternoon on Saturday, I hope I'm still good!

3) How do I tell the ISA eggs from the RIR eggs? The white Leghorns, not a problem. The others, a small problem. The only way I can tell that they are from different breeds is that some are a light, basic grocery store egg of brown (occasionally almost a creme color) and the others are a deeper, caramel color, occasionally with dark brown speckles. I want to say the lighter eggs are the ISAs but know that there are more experienced chicken people out there.

I cannot thank you enough for any help that might be offered. The entire family is wrecked by this, as he was the only one we named and was really turning out to be quite a wonderful guy!

He loved the little field trip days, where we penned them off to help Ma weed out the future garden plots.

Aw, poor guy. His brother has really filled out and is boss man here. The backup roo (from my prior GLW roo), is frustrated by the lack of ladies for himself, but want to keep more than one roo in case of a situation like this. I'd incubate both the ISA and RIR eggs, the crosses are interesting and some of my best layers. He was a SLW, but with the recessive straight comb gene showing.

Like everyone else, I'm ready to get rid of extra cockerels. I have a few Spitz from PhoredaBurds - think we will keep the one blue, one gold and one of the silver. I have 3 extra silver spitz - one we call Spike because he lacks the full headdress, one that has gold leakage, and one extra.

From the Chickenstock hatch, I have a BR cross, a red color EE with muff, a black/white suspect EE (pea comb). The NN looks to be cockerel as well, with rose comb, pretty lav/blue color with a hint of barring on the wings. Kinda want to keep the NN just to see him grow out, but hubby doesn't want NN. The NN must go to pet/breeding home only. Will be keeping the pure black roo Ayam Cemani (or cross).

 

[nposluszny]

I have 15 ladies here, would getting 2 boys be acceptable or is that too tight? Could they all hang in the same coop or would I need a second? And....if anyone wants some base white Leghorns, I have 3 that drive me batty, free to a new home (they run like crazy and peck the heck out of Ma, she's not thrilled with them) I have Freddie's no-crow collar (just arrived in the mail this morning) would be easy to get another - I don't want to bother the neighbors during the school year-----their kids are little yet.

I work nights currently, so I wouldn't be able to head out to collect a roo until the weekend. I am awaiting to hear back from the local friend with the barred rock, everyone here is against me incubating eggs (we really DO have too much going on right now). But I wouldn't be opposed to having 2.

Just showed Pops a pic of a NN......said that'd give him nightmares, no way! LOL

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I have 15 ladies here, would getting 2 boys be acceptable or is that too tight?  Could they all hang in the same coop or would I need a second?  And....if anyone wants some base white Leghorns, I have 3 that drive me batty, free to a new home (they run like crazy and peck the heck out of Ma, she's not thrilled with them)  I have Freddie's no-crow collar (just arrived in the mail this morning) would be easy to get another - I don't want to bother the neighbors during the school year-----their kids are little yet.

I work nights currently, so I wouldn't be able to head out to collect a roo until the weekend.  I am awaiting to hear back from the local friend with the barred rock, everyone here is against me incubating eggs (we really DO have too much going on right now).  But I wouldn't be opposed to having 2.

Just showed Pops a pic of a NN......said that'd give him nightmares, no way!  LOL

[/IMG] I'm a stay at home farmer so anytime works for me. Plus they are free and good boys, I eat the snarly ones. And I will take your 3 Leghorns if you need them gone. Oh yes 2 boys for 15 girls is fine and with both boys being hatch mate's and already living together they can all stay in 1 coop.