It depends. My four month old Paint Catdance cockerel is crowing but I don't expect him to try mating until seven months. Practice makes perfect.
That's the thing, I haven't seen him try. I am at work from 8:30 to 6:30 during the week, so if he is trying, the two hours of free range time aren't really enough to see if he is trying. I do know the hens look fine, no large amount of feathers missing, and they all seem to stay around him when out in the yard, so I don't think he has traumatized them with his attempts.It depends. My four month old Paint Catdance cockerel is crowing but I don't expect him to try mating until seven months. Practice makes perfect.
I like to keep my males separate until the raging hormones calm down a bit. When they are young, they can be really rambunctious and rough until they get the knack for hitting the mark. Keep the males and females bum trimmed if you aren't showing so access is more attainable. My best breeders are a year old and older. The more typey the male, the more difficult getting the hang of it can become for some. Depends on the strain you have. Temperment with the male towards hens and agility can be genetic too.
Thank you so much!
My hen is black, but I am afraid my black boy isn't full bred silkie. He has some greenish feathers on his rear and wings. Also where would you think I could sell or give away my other two?
If you are looking to mark little chicks, I use the Vet Wrap (from the feed stores) for birth to about 2 weeks old. They have lots of colors, you CAN write on them with a black sharpie, and they stretch as they grow. After 2 weeks I go to colored zip ties, put on just tight enough they can't get their feet out. With silkies I put it above their 5th toe so it doesn't come off, but really loose. When they get big enough I decide who I want to keep, that's when I put on their numbered poultry leg bands.
I bought mine from a show - but you can get them online easily. A quick search turned up tons on Ebay, as well as online poultry supply companies. http://compare.ebay.com/like/251258620206?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
For Silkies I would suggest 9 or larger - give them room for their feathers too.
P.S. - I don't think anybody can ID chicks.. they have to be quite a bit older... preferably 6 months
I cried reading thru your story. So happy it has a happy ending. What a beautiful chicken coop!Thank you! It's all done!
You can check out the interior on my coop page to see the set up. I am very pleased with it.
I just hear chicken noises
You'll know when they start to crow! HAHA
