post your chicken coop pictures here!

[ellymayRans]

The advice I am giving is "pass along" since I've never had a rooster. He has already learned your husband is the top chicken and he is second. You can't let that continue.

Get that long stick, annoy the rooster with it even when he isn't attacking. That doesn't mean beating him with it but prodding and nudging him away from a distance. When you put out food or treats, use the stick to nudge him away so he can't eat right off and he learns food happens when YOU let it happen. Don't try to walk around him, walk through him - ALWAYS. Make him get out of YOUR way. If he is walking somewhere, walk through him to go past even if you weren't planning to go there. He needs to know that he is NOT the boss. Randomly shoo him with the stick even if he is just hanging out so it is HE who is wary of being "attacked" by YOU. And if he attacks when your back is turned, take after him with the stick as above. Keep after him until he goes somewhere to get away from you. And have the kids do the same. You aren't abusing him but you are showing dominance, something ALL chickens understand AND scuffle over. If he doesn't change his ways, he needs to go whether your husband likes it or not.

Or, since hubby thinks the rooster is doing good by protecting the flock and your concerns are unfounded:
Every time the rooster attacks you or the kids, hit your husband on the back with the stick when he isn't looking. He needs to learn how to protect HIS "flock" from danger.   

Great advice! I have over 20 roosters (several different breeds) currently and even more in years past with 4 children (youngest age 5) Not a single attack or hint of one at any of us! We've always been very hands on and followed almost every step mentioned above with them all. That's my 2 cents..

Love the last few statements of that as well!! Cracked me up..but very true!

 

[TJordan]

I can just see that... Hitting my husband with the stick... Advice I might have to use if he doesn't get my yard finished... My church family has even offered to come over for a work day but my husband wants to feel like HE did it.. Lol

 

[saraiquimby1]

Here's my coop!! Chicks are in the brooder. Planning on getting sand for the bottom. There is a door behind the nesting boxes that I will uncover once the chickens are in there. 10x10 pen outside for them how am I doing? Oh and we are putting two windows in too - one on each side wall.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Here's my coop!! Chicks are in the brooder. Planning on getting sand for the bottom. There is a door behind the nesting boxes that I will uncover once the chickens are in there. 10x10 pen outside for them

how am I doing? Oh and we are putting two windows in too - one on each side wall.

The roosts look a little narrow to me, and maybe a little too steep, but other than that, it's pretty awesome. Nice and big and once they have a run, you'll be all set. Looks like you have plenty of room for free ranging too, which will make them happy.

 

[saraiquimby1]

Yes! The roost is just leaned up against the wall until we get the sand spread out in there. Then it will be secured to the wall at a much less steep angle! lol
I only have 12 chicks now, so they will be swimming in room. Pen is a 10x10 dog kennel we are working into a chicken run. the inside of the coop is 8x15 too so they have tons of room. Hoping at least half of my chicks come out to be pullets!!

 

[Sylvester017]

hi Sylvester,the rooster is smaller then the other hens but a little bigger the the gray ones. Not sure what breed he is. I'll try to get a pic of him.

If you don't know how old your roo is or if he'll grow more, keep an eye on how big he gets so he doesn't get too large/heavy for the bantam hens. Young cockerels at 6 months don't get taller but they will start adding on weight and muscle. If you know for certain that he's a bantam then no worries.

 

[Bowleggedcowboy]

If you don't know how old your roo is or if he'll grow more, keep an eye on how big he gets so he doesn't get too large/heavy for the bantam hens.  Young cockerels at 6 months don't get taller but they will start adding on weight and muscle.  If you know for certain that he's a bantam then no worries.

good morning Sylvester,I'll keep a eye on it.

 

[Bowleggedcowboy]

What's the best thing to do about a broody hen? Nudge her off and take the egg or just let her keep sitting on it?

 

[bruceha2000]

I can just see that... Hitting my husband with the stick... Advice I might have to use if he doesn't get my yard finished... My church family has even offered to come over for a work day but my husband wants to feel like HE did it.. Lol

I bet he is a smart guy and a fast learner - once ought to do it

I SUPPOSE you could warn him the first time so he has a chance to change his mind about the rooster before you actually need to teach him a lesson.

What's the best thing to do about a broody hen? Nudge her off and take the egg or just let her keep sitting on it?

Assuming you don't expect or want her to hatch anything, read the broody hen threads. You are not alone!
Taking the egg away will do nothing.
Nudging her off the nest will do nothing.
Not if she really is broody.
I have no rooster and my broody girls will sit on an empty nest FOREVER if I don't put them in the broody buster box.

Yes! The roost is just leaned up against the wall until we get the sand spread out in there. Then it will be secured to the wall at a much less steep angle! lol
I only have 12 chicks now, so they will be swimming in room. Pen is a 10x10 dog kennel we are working into a chicken run. the inside of the coop is 8x15 too so they have tons of room. Hoping at least half of my chicks come out to be pullets!!

There were 2 points, the steepness AND the narrow cross members. What you have will not be AT ALL comfortable for chicken feet no matter the angle. 3" round fence rail or 2x4 on the flat. I suggest running one from the wall by the nest boxes to the wall on the partition. Set it at the height of the front of the nest box roof or higher on brackets so you can take it out easily. I would also hinge the people door on the plywood wall side. I think you are going to find it somewhat restrictive having to open it into the run space.

 

[GAchickennewbie]

Quote:
Interesting. I've only had to do that once. The rest of the time, a few nudges off the box and removing the eggs stopped it. Granted, they didn't have an opportunity to go into full broody mode, but still.

I try to leave my girls with the rest of the flock as long as they are eating and drinking.