Berkshirechick
In the Brooder
I have one beardless Silkie roo, and five bantam hens, one old Ameraucana hen, (and an Ancona hen inside for bumble foot recovery). My Silkie roo is a good boy and protects the hens, but his two favorites are getting overbred. They have been cooped up in a 6'by 4' coop, with an insulated 2.5 by 3.5 attachment in case they feel chilly, and their coop run is 6' by 10. Now that the weather is nice, they are allowed to free range outside of the run for 3 - 6 hours a day, nine acre property with three acre cleared.
The roo has been overbreeding the other Silkie and a docile Sebright, he has trouble catching the other hens as regularly, and the OEGB is too tiny for him to have an easy time of it, though he manages ( the old Ameraucana is huge, he leaves her alone for the most part)
Should the free ranging give the hens enough space now? The two favorites are usually near by, so still are getting a bit much attention. I am hoping their feathers will grow back soon when they go into molt.
Should I get two more hens? And if he doesn't like the Ameraucana as much, should I only get bantams or smaller hens? He is white, and I heard chickens prefer the same breed or color if not raised in the same batch. Maybe get him light small hens, or should I just wait to see if free ranging helps?
The roo has been overbreeding the other Silkie and a docile Sebright, he has trouble catching the other hens as regularly, and the OEGB is too tiny for him to have an easy time of it, though he manages ( the old Ameraucana is huge, he leaves her alone for the most part)
Should the free ranging give the hens enough space now? The two favorites are usually near by, so still are getting a bit much attention. I am hoping their feathers will grow back soon when they go into molt.
Should I get two more hens? And if he doesn't like the Ameraucana as much, should I only get bantams or smaller hens? He is white, and I heard chickens prefer the same breed or color if not raised in the same batch. Maybe get him light small hens, or should I just wait to see if free ranging helps?