Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Mother of Chaos]

Realizing, everyone has different preferences and different reasons for keeping chickens, I have to say, having a great rooster makes dealing with the cockerels a breeze, but there probably is a limit to the number one can raise. I do adore them. Spud is a great teacher and mostly gentle with them. It has been a real pleasure for all concerned thanks to him.

It has been so peaceful and serene, even the spring frenzy was mild. If one of the girls squawk in protest Spud and/or his second in command, Squeaky, rush over, give a stern look or a gentle chest bump the young lads, who immediately stop and back away from the offended hen. A few times of this and they just gave up being 'naughty' and are now behaving like perfect gentlemen. So idyllic, once you have the perfect rooster. LOL

I define chicken happiness levels by how much time they spend doing normal chickening, our girls never seem to squabble, except when a broody is involved, no illnesses, they spend most of their time foraging, dust bathing and taking peaceful siestas.

I love the idea of having the guys in the flock, but…

Those of us like @BDutch and I who live in urban settings can appreciate the advantages of having roos and cockerels, but if you can’t have them, you can’t have them.