Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[Werforpsu]

Our somehwat agressive cockerels have a time limit on them right now. As soon as spring comes I'm going to try hand raising a Roo that is eight naturally docile breed and keeping my fingers crossed.
The only reason I am keeping them around right now is because our chickens free range and our girls go all over the place and into the woods. We already had one killed by a fox in the fall. The boys are doing a pretty good job of keeping the girls safe.

 

[Werforpsu]

The blue egg sexlinks are a cross between an Ameraucana (2 copies of the blue egg gene) and a California Grey (no copies), so each one has exactly 1 copy. Since the blue egg gene is dominant, they lay blue eggs. But if you breed from her, only half her offspring will carry the gene for blue eggs. If the sire has 2 copies of the blue egg gene, then all the progeny will lay blue eggs, but if he has 0 or 1 copy, you cannot predict the egg color of the chicks. Roughly half will lay blue (or green) eggs, possibly 3/4 or all will, but for each individual pullet, you will not know until she starts to lay.

Thanks for the info!
It'd nice to know that it wouldnt completly disapear right away.

 

[BullChick]

From Perry County

 

[OneMountainAcres]

From Perry County

Welcome from Cambria county!

 

[fisherlady]

What rooster aggressiveness do you put up with? There have been a few incidents with Batman this past fall. So when we were building the run I never turned my back on him for too long cuz I don't trust him. The other morning I went to let them out of coop and lingered In the run while they all went out into the yard. Well Batman put himself between me and the gate out of their yard. If I went right he went right. I went left, he went left. He eventually charged me which luckily I had feed scoop in my hand to wack him. I don't know if it's just his hormones in the morning or what? He chases all the girls first thing.

I've been taking a stick with me and have been filling feeder/water before I let them out so I can leave quick before he gets out

I don't put up with any after the initial 'hormone rush' of the teenager, should be settled by 18 weeks or so. Any posturing or stalking after that puts them on the list for next cull day. We have 4 roos in our main coop and 2 more in other coops and I don't have to worry. In fact we only keep the friendliest and they think nothing of coming right up to us to get a treat and it hasn't diminished their ability to protect the hens and chicks.

None. There are too many good roosters being given away or eaten.

Very true!

Our somehwat agressive cockerels have a time limit on them right now. As soon as spring comes I'm going to try hand raising a Roo that is eight naturally docile breed and keeping my fingers crossed.
The only reason I am keeping them around right now is because our chickens free range and our girls go all over the place and into the woods. We already had one killed by a fox in the fall. The boys are doing a pretty good job of keeping the girls safe.

I can understand your reasoning...I am sure you will find a couple of friendly replacements soon.

 

[fisherlady]

Continuing on the rooster conversation...we generally have a handful of young roosters at any given time, since our broodies hatch them out. Sometimes barnyard mixes, sometimes Silver Pencil rocks. If anyone is looking for a good flock rooster I am sure either I or a handful of other folks here can hook them up. I often end up butchering a handful each year I really hate to simply because they haven't sold. It seems our adult roosters' friendliness is being passed down to their chicks. It sucks that chicks hatch about 50/50 but you only need 1 roo for every 6-8 hens.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I'm sorry that you must kill the hen. I was hoping the antibiotics would cure her.

When I must kill a chicken, I hold them by their legs and lay their head on the ground. Then put a broomstick over their neck, just behind their head. Hold it down with your foot and pull fast and hard on their legs. That separates their spinal column from their brain and kills them instantly. Usually, their head ends up separated entirely from their body.

In any method, be prepared for actions from the dead bird that make is seem still alive. That is just involuntary muscle contractions, the proverbial "running around like a chicken with it's head cut off". I used to use an axe to cut off the head and sometimes a body would manage to get up on it's feet and run for a bit. All that flopping can bruise the carcass of a meat bird, hence the preference for a kill cone. If you aren't going to eat the bird, I think a kill cone is not much added benefit.

On a happier note, whenever you are ready for eggs or chicks, I have a local source for several colors of cochins, and silkies. Raising them from chicks is really better, even if it takes more patience.

I'm sorry that you must kill the hen. I was hoping the antibiotics would cure her.

When I must kill a chicken, I hold them by their legs and lay their head on the ground. Then put a broomstick over their neck, just behind their head. Hold it down with your foot and pull fast and hard on their legs. That separates their spinal column from their brain and kills them instantly. Usually, their head ends up separated entirely from their body.

This is how I do it also if I have to put one down myself. It's the simplest and quickest way imo. When hubby does it, he uses .22 bird shot to take care of them. When we butcher though, I hold the feet and we lay them over a stump with their heads being held in place by two nails spaced a few inches apart. Hubby uses a hatchet to cut their heads off. All 3 methods are very quick.

I'm very sorry that you need to put her down

Thanks guys, that sounds like a good option. I feel like I would have to have someone show me though, for the first time. For today I will use the feed sack idea.

Sorry if this is a sensitive topic, but does anyone have a good home option for a kill cone? I am going to euthanize the banty tomorrow, but I don't have one here. It doesn't look like they sell them at tractor supply, unless they go by a different name.

Instead of a pillowcase, use a feedbag. Otherwise, the jug was my other suggestion.

Thanks! That's an excellent idea.

From Perry County

Welcome!


I am going to do the deed later, once my headache goes away.

 

[BullChick]

Continuing on the rooster conversation...we generally have a handful of young roosters at any given time, since our broodies hatch them out. Sometimes barnyard mixes, sometimes Silver Pencil rocks. If anyone is looking for a good flock rooster I am sure either I or a handful of other folks here can hook them up. I often end up butchering a handful each year I really hate to simply because they haven't sold. It seems our adult roosters' friendliness is being passed down to their chicks. It sucks that chicks hatch about 50/50 but you only need 1 roo for every 6-8 hens.

"Lucky" is still around. Steven Tyler goes after him if he's caught mating. He is really a good looking guy! But, he will have to go when I do finally process. Any backup roosters here will be the SPR.
Why do you have to have such sexy boys?!

 

[BullChick]

If I could find a way to make that post make sense, I would.

 

[stake]

Sorry if this is a sensitive topic, but does anyone have a good home option for a kill cone? I am going to euthanize the banty tomorrow, but I don't have one here. It doesn't look like they sell them at tractor supply, unless they go by a different name.

Anne:

I don't process, but is you can get your hands on one of those plastic cones used on dogs to prevent them from chewing on themselves, you could probably make adjustments...my two cents