Show Off Your American Gamefowl and Chat Thread!!!

[sdm111]

I've just started separating all hens and cocks when going broody. I've found usually the cock will try to breed the hen which results in a badly torn up back with cock going into the nest

 

[centrarchid]

Most of my hens are confined to pens alone during incubation. It is during that time I also move pens apart so once chicks come off nest broods can be kept somewhat separated from each other and adults in pens. I am not a fan of loosing chicks to fights between hens or hens to fighting through pens. Broodies are encouraged to take broods to cover patches within core area protected by dogs. My cover patches are coming up slow this year which may be a problem.

 

[JShubin]

I don't have any cocks that are particularly hard on the hens, thank goodness. But I do notice that they tend to be more forceful in the morning right after jumping down from perch... and will often chase them down if hen is unwilling. I don't observe them using that much force during rest of the day.

Typically newly introduced cocks will chase down unfamiliar hens until mounted or stop chase if the hen manages to get away.

 

[JShubin]

First night outside... I put a towel over just for some extra warmth, even though it was a warm night.

 

[centrarchid]

I don't have any cocks that are particularly hard on the hens, thank goodness. But I do notice that they tend to be more forceful in the morning right after jumping down from perch... and will often chase them down if hen is unwilling.  I don't observe them using that much force during rest of the day.

Typically newly introduced cocks will chase down unfamiliar hens until mounted or stop chase if the hen manages to get away.

If what I am seeing is correct, it is partially an environmental issue, not just genetics. If you go a little leaner on diets you will likely see same thing some of my birds are doing.


I see similar even in free-range setting. Even juveniles enforce rank when coming down off the roost.

 

[roosterhavoc]

How cold you guys think is too cold to have a hen sitting on eggs outside in a pen? It's supposed to go down to 28 tonight same for the next few nights.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I can use a dog crate filled with straw within one of my wooden pens. plenty of protection from the wind etc..

 

[flypen]

I can use a dog crate filled with straw within one of my wooden pens. plenty of protection from the wind etc..

I have better luck putting something over the hen, usually any time a hen is moved she'll abandon the nest.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I have better luck putting something over the hen, usually any time a hen is moved she'll abandon the nest.

haven't even set her up yet. The hen is broody in one of coops. I haven't let her set on eggs. Was planning on setting her up tonight in a different pen and giving her eggs. It's just gonna be kinda cold.

 

[sdm111]

Huh mine when they go broody ( grey worker hens ) I just pick up the nest with her in it and move it to an above ground pen across the yard they don't move look like a statue then get my eggs take her out hold her like a cock swap eggs put her down and within 5 min they back on