NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

Oh my, so many replies!! Thank you! I believe the thought was that the Rhode Islands may harm the baby, who will be toddling by the time I finally get this project going! And yes, he will grow up around them because when we are outside, they will be free to roam the yards. I don't think the person meant that they are particularly evil, just a more aggressive and maybe protective breed? Anyway, I have just been looking at many breeds and hope to find some lovely ones with nice eggs. I eventually would like to brood some of my better hens. I would absolutely love to get pointers from you locals, maybe even visit your coops so you could show me some of your tricks of the trade?

I would worry more about the possibility of ending up with a mean rooster (of ANY breed) rather than a certain breed itself. I've never heard any one suggest that some breeds are more aggressive over others. A chicken is a chicken - Ooops maybe I shouldn't have said that. ;-) I think it's more in how they are raised that depends on how friendly they will be with you and by friendly I really mean how less skittish they will be around you. For example, the more they are held as chicks, the less likely they are to run from you in the yard. At least that's my experience with chickens the last couple of years.

 

[rancher hicks]

In the 1800's, the United States government gave arsenic to the Native Americans and told them that if they put it on the meat and left it for the wolves, there would be Buffalo again. They did. It killed wolves, fox, coyotes, hawks, eagles, bear, and Native Americans. I suggest going to the pound and getting some more cats. Then let them burrow in the hay.

I'm not sure why you'd suggest me getting more cats. I don't have any cats. I also don't advocate more cats than anyone can financially handle. Outdoor cats have a life expectancy of 4-5 yrs. (got this from Cats 101)

Mice can burrow in the bales of hay, cats can not. I still suggest traps.

My next door neighbors cats could very well have died from eating a poisoned mouse. Poison is a slow death, traps

 

[DeansMill]

I actually wasn't suggesting you... I meant the person with the hay and the stray... heh, that rhymed. I believe nature has a solution for everything and sometimes, humans need to step back.

 

[rancher hicks]

I actually wasn't suggesting you... I meant the person with the hay and the stray... heh, that rhymed. I believe nature has a solution for everything and sometimes, humans need to step back.

I figured you was.

Now if I was to get a cat, I'd adopt. If I had a barn I would have a couple too but I don't.

 

[demp4]

Mother Earth News had an article on Icelandics. Has anyone raised them? I am thinking of getting a dozen hatching eggs from two different breeders and trying to raise some.

 

[maranfarmer563]

Nature does. I had a mink come got the mice and rats. When they ran out he went after chickens. I got him in a box trap and had no more mice the rest of the winter

 

[AQHAchick22]

I would worry more about the possibility of ending up with a mean rooster (of ANY breed) rather than a certain breed itself. I've never heard any one suggest that some breeds are more aggressive over others. A chicken is a chicken - Ooops maybe I shouldn't have said that. ;-) I think it's more in how they are raised that depends on how friendly they will be with you and by friendly I really mean how less skittish they will be around you. For example, the more they are held as chicks, the less likely they are to run from you in the yard. At least that's my experience with chickens the last couple of years.

I got my birds in two batches a year apart. The first set I bought 8 chicks and handled them all, they generally follow me around the yard except for the leghorn who will run in the opposite direction if I step near her. The second batch I hatched and purchased the following year, and with 30 of them I didn't have enough time/patience to handle all of them. Some are very friendly, some are flightly. I think a lot does depend on the breed. I have a buff orpington rooster and HAD a sebright rooster. They were handled the same as chicks. I still have the BO (very respectful and non-aggressive rooster) and the Sebright was evil and evicted...

A lot of it does have to do with handling but I think a lot of it is also related to breed.

 

[Lynzi777]

I got my birds in two batches a year apart. The first set I bought 8 chicks and handled them all, they generally follow me around the yard except for the leghorn who will run in the opposite direction if I step near her. The second batch I hatched and purchased the following year, and with 30 of them I didn't have enough time/patience to handle all of them. Some are very friendly, some are flightly. I think a lot does depend on the breed. I have a buff orpington rooster and HAD a sebright rooster. They were handled the same as chicks. I still have the BO (very respectful and non-aggressive rooster) and the Sebright was evil and evicted...

A lot of it does have to do with handling but I think a lot of it is also related to breed.

But have you ever noticed a difference in aggressive behavior in hens? I agree all roosters are different - I started out with a Lavender Orpington roo that I had to get rid of because he was so mean. Thought I would never again be able to have another roo until I found my Splash Orp rooster that was so laid back and gentle with the hens. If someone is going to raise just hens are there breeds out there that really are more aggressive than others?

 

[marquisella]

The only mean roos I've ever had were Silkies....brats! And would wait until I turned my back & attack. I've had Marans, Orps, Sussex, Brabanters, Ameraucanas...

 

[maranfarmer563]

I have a polish that is being a brat too