Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[animallover505]

I just took my girls some warm oatmeal. They were slinging it everywhere!

 

[BullChick]

I have 10 so far. I am HOPING for more. Like I said a few pages ago, I have been getting new layers every Monday for the previous 3 or 4 weeks. I am hoping for a blue or two.
Red was in "I am gonna get you" mode, but Rocky was in the way. A local woman is going to come Saturday to rescue me.

Now I have a behavior question. Rocky is a RIR (known for being the most likely to be mean) and is six months today. Shadow is an Ameraucana that is 7 months. Shadow is just starting to "man up" this past week. Red didn't get mean until the other 5 were gone. What are the chances of Rocky or Shadow turning on me after Red is gone?

 

[animallover505]

I have 10 so far. I am HOPING for more. Like I said a few pages ago, I have been getting new layers every Monday for the previous 3 or 4 weeks. I am hoping for a blue or two.
Red was in "I am gonna get you" mode, but Rocky was in the way. A local woman is going to come Saturday to rescue me.

Now I have a behavior question. Rocky is a RIR (known for being the most likely to be mean) and is six months today. Shadow is an Ameraucana that is 7 months. Shadow is just starting to "man up" this past week. Red didn't get mean until the other 5 were gone. What are the chances of Rocky or Shadow turning on me after Red is gone?

I'm not sure. But I don't think they will. Spend a lot of time with Rocky and Shadow. Hand feed them, give them treats, and pet them! Keep them friendly/.

 

[BullChick]

ELEVEN! A NEW HIGH!

 

[okallthis4eggs]

ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE

Fights start in about 45 minutes. Rocky Roger vs Chicken George....may the best girl win.

 

[BullChick]

LOL! Bring it on!!!

 

[cheeka]

I got 6 yesterday as it turns out... Peach made a last minute entry, and laid another today... and I got four more from the others. we got 5 inches of snow up in the elevation, 2-3 down in the valley... all of my repairs to the drifty areas of the dome held up perfectly, no snow inside but for one little spot that is in a weird corner, and it's minimal ~ the gang does like to eat some snow... but the last snowstorm was where I discovered all the gaps for drifting... and it was a bit of a nightmare as that was the 20 inch storm... hard to fix. don't get me wrong, it was nice as pie in there during the last storm, but I did have snow issues... they made the best of being cooped up by digging up a big area towards the back of the dome, and turning it into a dirt bath. they did a good job, it was nice and fluffy, aided by the deep litter method I've been using... all those leaves disintegrated into very nice dirt.

two routes to do tomorrow, it's supposed to be dry... glad I didn't have to do both today with the storm, it's so tiring trying to decide if that box in the ditch is worth trying to get to... don't want to get stuck for the sake of someone's NetFlix...

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Nobody got bloody tonight. I joined the roosting ritual and it went very well. My beak was my finger that I used to poke with like they do with their beak. Only had to poke twice. Just a little poke to the top of their heads to get their attention if they started trouble. They all settled in and I stood there very still till it got totally quiet. Then I left. At least for tonight I think we might be blood free.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

SIX

SIX.........We Busted Each Others Heads........We Laid SIX Eggs........And Now We Are All Cuddled Up Like A Bunch Of Puppy Dogs Sleeping........Thats How We Roll

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I have 10 so far. I am HOPING for more. Like I said a few pages ago, I have been getting new layers every Monday for the previous 3 or 4 weeks. I am hoping for a blue or two.
Red was in "I am gonna get you" mode, but Rocky was in the way. A local woman is going to come Saturday to rescue me.

Now I have a behavior question. Rocky is a RIR (known for being the most likely to be mean) and is six months today. Shadow is an Ameraucana that is 7 months. Shadow is just starting to "man up" this past week. Red didn't get mean until the other 5 were gone. What are the chances of Rocky or Shadow turning on me after Red is gone?

Congrats on the big 11. Almost a dozen!

Rocky and Shadow will show some behavior change when the dominate Red is gone, but not necessarily aimed at you. Behavior/aggression is mainly genetic. Aggressive roos are more likely to beget aggressive sons (and vice versa). Adolescent cockerels can get "cocky" and stupid (we all make mistakes!). Although I think their temperaments are pretty well set, I would immediately discourage any bad behavior by grabbing up the miscreant and hold him firmly, or pin him down to the ground. It helps if the hens are around to witness and enhance the humiliation. Do not release until he is uncomfortable and then completely submissive. The idea is to make him respect you as dominate.

Unfortunately, a cockerel with innate aggressive tendencies will be more likely to attack if you handle or hand feed him, as he will have no fear of you. Probably would not influence a naturally nice guy, but if you're worried, why chance it?

The majority of roosters are not human aggressive, but they need to respect you as top dog and not a competitor. A rooster should never be allowed to win if he challenges you. Give 'em hell!

I saw the beginnings of aggression in my sexed EE pullet who turned out to be a RuPaul (boy in disguise!). He was around 15 weeks. The aggression was aimed at me alone. I think he was competing with me for control of the pullets who largely ignored him. I was never attacked, but saw that look in his eye and never went into the pen without my chicken stick (never hit him, just made him keep a respectful distance). My suspicions were confirmed when he flew up 5 feet to try to get me through the window! Rehomed at 17 weeks, and the change did him good, as there were no reported problems. Either that or he was "invited" to dinner!