Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Turk Raphael]

I don't tolerate aggressive cock birds, whether they are aggressive towards me or towards the hens in his care. I have brahmas, so they are supposed to be docile and I expect them to be. That doesn't mean that they won't charge me when I stir up the hens, they'll charge but they know where to stop. Now if you are raising English game, then you should expect a more aggressive cock, but he still has to know who is the alpha in the flock (and it isn't him).

Yes, I'll admit that I cull aggression out. Even though I don't have aggressive cocks, when a hawk is sighted, my cock bird gets all of the girls and juveniles into the coop and then stands outside waiting for the hawk to take his chance. If there is a hawk around that is stupid enough (or hungry enough) to go after a 15 pound cock bird, I guess it would deserve what it got, but I haven't seen it yet. My cock birds' jobs are to protect the flock and fertilize eggs. They don't need to protect the flock from me and once they have learned that, they will be culled if they attack me. Fortunately, I haven't had a real problem with aggression towards me, but I have had to cull for aggression towards other chickens (especially juvenile males).

To each their own theories, of course. I have a friend on here who has Brahmas and that poor kid can't seem to catch a brake. He has bought several cockerels/cocks over the last couple years that have disappointed him so badly. They certainly were not aggressive but neither were they really interested in the hens and when one did get up enough spunk to cover a hen a few times, the shots were frequently blank and he bought from some pretty reliable folks with good reputations in the exhibition circles. Of course, they made things right but he lost two breeding/show seasons.

Turk

 

[bumpercarr]

To each their own theories, of course. I have a friend on here who has Brahmas and that poor kid can't seem to catch a brake. He has bought several cockerels/cocks over the last couple years that have disappointed him so badly. They certainly were not aggressive but neither were they really interested in the hens and when one did get up enough spunk to cover a hen a few times, the shots were frequently blank and he bought from some pretty reliable folks with good reputations in the exhibition circles. Of course, they made things right but he lost two breeding/show seasons.

Turk

I don't have either problem with my cocks. They are interested and they don't shoot blanks.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I don't have either problem with my cocks. They are interested and they don't shoot blanks.

 

[earlyredrooster]

It was 90 during the day today, but 48 in the morning.  That is how the weather is here in the mountains outside of Seattle.  We get some crazy extremes at times.  Last weekend it rained about 2 inches, which is unheard of in August.  We haven't had it get this cold so soon in the "fall".  I'm thinking this winter is going to be really cold.  

The weather here has been crazy too, we usually get an ice-storm every four or five years but it hit in October last year and stayed until almost the end of April. Then this summer we have only had really HOT weather the past two weeks.

 

[ochochicas]

I don't go out messin' with the cocks with shorts on...I wear long pants and shoes...no flip-flops or sandals.

You really should try going out with sandals and painted toenails. It is quite a treat to have all the chicks try to eat your toenails because they look like berries!

 

[earlyredrooster]

You really should try going out with sandals and painted toenails.  It is quite a treat to have all the chicks try to eat your toenails because they look like berries!  

I personally think it hilarious, but my wife don't share my views on this behavior.

 

[Johnn]

Bella's boy jamp on her again and mated her and I missed it again! She's getting sick of him though! Was up the field without him today!

This was from yesterday:
Bella's boy got into another fight today! This time with Bella's enemy and his biological mother! She's moulting (thats why she doesn't look too healthy) so I'm glad she won because I don't want her getting stressed during it. They were fighting a minute but most of it was a stare off, he backed down and she chased him off in the end. George was trying to get involved but I stopped him as I like to be there when they fight incase anyone gets hurt.

 

[sssharon]

I'm trying to figure out which is Bella? Actually also is the Roo you are talking about the black one that is she is sick of. Your chickens are really pretty. The one I think you said is moulting, is that the biological mother? She's a buff orpington right. She looks just like mine but your's is more mature. Mine is not laying yet though she should be. She is well over 5 months. Her comb isn't developed much like they say that seems to be a factor on egg laying. Just curious about your chickens, I read your posts a lot. Is the one chicken a New Hampshire? I have 4 of them. 25 weeks old today and only one laying. She lays every day though. Can't complain about that. Hope I haven't been a pain. I enjoy your posts.

 

[ChickyChickens]

I'm trying to figure out which is Bella? Actually also is the Roo you are talking about the black one that is she is sick of. Your chickens are really pretty. The one I think you said is moulting, is that the biological mother? She's a buff orpington right. She looks just like mine but your's is more mature. Mine is not laying yet though she should be. She is well over 5 months. Her comb isn't developed much like they say that seems to be a factor on egg laying. Just curious about your chickens, I read your posts a lot. Is the one chicken a New Hampshire? I have 4 of them. 25 weeks old today and only one laying. She lays every day though. Can't complain about that. Hope I haven't been a pain. I enjoy your posts.

X2! I enjoy the posts too!

 

[earlyredrooster]

My broody has a new baby this morning. A cute lil black duckling.