- Jul 24, 2011
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Greetings all,
My father in law and I split a batch of chicks bought in April/May this year.
I have 3 chooks at home and he has 3 more in another location, and we have only one rooster. I used to keep him at home, but when he started to crow I had to send him to the 'farm' (father in law's place). My father in law kept his 3 chooks from the batch with other birds so they couldn't get to the food so well amongst the other birds and are 'stunted' - still haven't grown combs or started laying. My home birds are like full adults now, so I decided to take my chooks to the farm for a day - bad idea. There was no loving going on, only fighting. Then I decided to bring the rooster back home again temporarily, just to get a batch of eggs for the incubator. However, at the moment he is trying to stop my chooks from eating, and not showing any interest in them, even though they squat and stick their bums out when I come close (which they have always done.)
My question is, can I bring the rooster around only when I want to incubate some eggs, or will this destroy social ties between the two groups? Will I have to wait until 'his' hens start laying before I can incubate? Might he remember that he used to live here before, and get down to business, or will he constantly be trying to readjust to each group of hens?
Does anyone else do this with their flocks?
I know I'd be happy if I was sent on 'fertilizing trips', but then I don't live in the strict world of chicken relationships...
My father in law and I split a batch of chicks bought in April/May this year.
I have 3 chooks at home and he has 3 more in another location, and we have only one rooster. I used to keep him at home, but when he started to crow I had to send him to the 'farm' (father in law's place). My father in law kept his 3 chooks from the batch with other birds so they couldn't get to the food so well amongst the other birds and are 'stunted' - still haven't grown combs or started laying. My home birds are like full adults now, so I decided to take my chooks to the farm for a day - bad idea. There was no loving going on, only fighting. Then I decided to bring the rooster back home again temporarily, just to get a batch of eggs for the incubator. However, at the moment he is trying to stop my chooks from eating, and not showing any interest in them, even though they squat and stick their bums out when I come close (which they have always done.)
My question is, can I bring the rooster around only when I want to incubate some eggs, or will this destroy social ties between the two groups? Will I have to wait until 'his' hens start laying before I can incubate? Might he remember that he used to live here before, and get down to business, or will he constantly be trying to readjust to each group of hens?
Does anyone else do this with their flocks?
I know I'd be happy if I was sent on 'fertilizing trips', but then I don't live in the strict world of chicken relationships...