Possible Roo… what to do.

[PhenixJiRa]

My chicks are 7 weeks old and I have one that’s been herding the others from week 2. I’ve wondered if perhaps she’s a he and yesterday I noticed the tail feathers and change in comb.

This morning we crowed.

It was actually quite cute because it startled everyone including himself. He along with the others ran for cover.

I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to have a rooster here but for the sake of argument let’s pretend I can.

My other worry is 1) will the existing hens attack him since they’ve never had a rooster in their presence and 2) how do you prevent mating if you don’t want more chicks?

They last part is the real question. I know I can’t stop it but is there a solution?

 

[PhenixJiRa]

Do I need to worry about the size of their home if there is a rooster.

They will have 130 sq ft when locked up. That’s combined kennel, run, and under their coop. The kennel alone is 80 sq ft and the run/coop is about 50. Their actual coop is 7.5” x 3.5” so I think that’s ok.

I let them out at least once a day for an hour or so but that leaves many hours in their run with a happy rooster.

 

[fluffycrow]

Why do you want to prevent mating? Having a male doesn't equal having chicks

 

[PhenixJiRa]

Why do you want to prevent mating? Having a male doesn't equal having chicks

Well that’s what I don’t know. I assume I would have chicks if I have a rooster. I’ve never had a rooster before and this is my second set of chicks.

Is there something I should do or some advise you can give?

On person told me to just put the eggs in the fridge and then it doesn’t matter if there’s some mating going on.

I do worry if I have enough space to include a rooster?

Thanks

 

[Sussex19]

how do you prevent mating if you don’t want more chicks?

Just eat the eggs like normal, and you wont have any chicks, a fertile egg in its self is just the same as any other egg, and there's no chick in it until it gets incubated.
They only time you need to worry about it, is if you have a broody hen, or if you keep your eggs in a very hot room.

My other worry is 1) will the existing hens attack him since they’ve never had a rooster in their presence and

I'm not quite understanding your situation.
Do you have 7 week old pullet chicks and older hens? Or is it just the pullets?
If the former, then the older hens will put him in is place, which could look like attacking, but they are very unlikely to actually hurt him, and its actually quite good for his temperament.
If the later, then no, the pullets wont attack him, it will actually be the other way round, as cockerels can easily get to rough with pullets.

 

[Mrs. K]

How many birds, how old are they, are they bantams or full size birds?

3.5 x 7.5 = 26.25 / 4 = almost 7 head. The coop is the deal breaker - as in the long cold nights of winter is a long time for chickens to be overcrowded.

Roosters do need a bit more room IMO.

A lot depends on your climate, and it is sounding like a pre-fab coop?

Fertilized eggs are inert until they have been held at 100 degrees for about 24 hours. At that point they can begin to develop into chicks.

Mrs K

 

[PhenixJiRa]

Just eat the eggs like normal, and you wont have any chicks, a fertile egg in its self is just the same as any other egg, and there's no chick in it until it gets incubated.
They only time you need to worry about it, is if you have a broody hen, or if you keep your eggs in a very hot room.

I'm not quite understanding your situation.
Do you have 7 week old pullet chicks and older hens? Or is it just the pullets?
If the former, then the older hens will put him in is place, which could look like attacking, but they are very unlikely to actually hurt him, and its actually quite good for his temperament.
If the later, then no, the pullets wont attack him, it will actually be the other way round, as cockerels can easily get to rough with pullets.

I have 4 hens a little over 1 1/2 years old. I have six chicks that are seven weeks old. At this moment they are in separate coops. Eventually, I will put them together.

Good to know that the hens will take care of themselves!

 

[PhenixJiRa]

How many birds, how old are they, are they bantams or full size birds?

3.5 x 7.5 = 26.25 / 4 = almost 7 head. The coop is the deal breaker - as in the long cold nights of winter is a long time for chickens to be overcrowded.

Roosters do need a bit more room IMO.

A lot depends on your climate, and it is sounding like a pre-fab coop?

Fertilized eggs are inert until they have been held at 100 degrees for about 24 hours. At that point they can begin to develop into chicks.

Mrs K

The coop was built by a local builder. It is actually 7 1/2’ x 4’ wide. It has two long perches inside. Supposedly it is big enough for 14 chickens but I disagree. Maybe if they were all buddy buddy, but we know that does not happen.

I am hoping with the two perches, it will be better because some can be together on one while the other hens are on the other. I don’t have another option, but if things get really bad, I will have to find a home for a couple of them.

I was only supposed to have eight but magically have 10.

 

[Lilion]

Hey I'm pretty new, but the rule of thumb is 4 sq feet per chicken. 10 birds = 40 sq feet. Your coop is 30 sq feet...so a bit too small for 10, full-sized, chickens.

 

[FunClucks]

Rule of thumb - 4 square feet per chicken in the coop plus 10 square feet per chicken in the run. For standard full -size hens

I have had a mixed flock of production sex-links and leghorn mixes (designer EEs from Hoovers - Prairie bluebells, starlight green eggers) plus one rooster, at the rule of thumb recommendations and mine could probably use more space. So, yes, some chickens need even more space than the rule of thumb often quoted on this site.

The ISA browns are bullies to my leghorn mixes, so I've had to rehome two. So much depends on the personality of the individual chicken.