So...now I own a chicken...

[Duckchick2011]

I sure hope so!

Oh and I found out my roosters breed. He is a Birchen Marans. He doesn't have the feathers on his feet BUT that is definitely what he is. ^.^

 

[Duckchick2011]

Ha I'm so happy! So Prisy (although I think I'm going to change her name to Chickadea) is making a nest. No eggs yet but she is sitting in her little box scratching around and pulling the straw all around her. Presley is laying down outside of her nest making lots of clucks. Its like he is guarding her.

I was wondering, Do roosters help the hens find a good place to nest? Because it sure looks like they do.

Presley had jumped into the box before her and was making a really big deal about it i.e he was clucking his head off. Then she came, kicked him out and hasn't left. I think she's getting ready to lay an egg but I really don't know. Maybe she just found a nice place for a nap, but she sure is fussing over it.

I really love chickens. I can't believe I haven't owned some before this. There behavior is so fun to watch!

 

[Duckchick2011]

First Egg

I wonder if she will go broody? I'd love to have some chicks from them.

 

[rebrascora]

Congratulations on your first egg and your journey into the world of chickens... it is fascinating to watch them. It sounds like he is a mature rooster from the behaviour that you are describing. Accompanying her on nest hunting forays and encouraging her when suitable locations are found is one of his duties. It sounds like he is a total gentleman. I'm so pleased he has found such a great home with you.

One word of caution.... beware of "chicken math".... you already have the symptoms.....One chicken has become two and you are already "plotting" for more and you only started a few days ago. I started with 3, two years ago and I now have 50ish.... it quickly gets out of hand so be warned!

 

[Majd]

Well the Hen was the answer.

Before he was crowing all morning long until lunch, sitting in one little spot looking lonely, and not eating much.

Now he is hardly crowing at all and he and the new hen are foraging.

It's so cute to watch them. I saw him dig up a nice juicy worm and instead of eating it all himself he made a clucking noise and called the hen over. He has done that once or twice. He seems to be showing her around. Every now and then he will do a funny little rooster dance for her. He isn't trying to breed her too much like I was worried about.

But he seems a little more nervous about me now. I guess he's worried I will eat his girlfriend. He isn't being aggressive though, so I'm happy. 

If I notice any problems I will just get another hen to help even things out BUT so far I'm really really happy with what I'm seeing.

Told ya! not to brat about it, but i kimda knpw how roosters think don't worry once they settle down he will not overbreed her, they will have some kind of pattern and do it just enough so her eggs stay fertile just like a married couple the roosyers that are aggressive and overbreed are usually young cockerels or roosters that are lower in the pecking order, as they do not get the chance to do it freely and are frustrated that they do not have the hens for themselves, but the head rooster is bery gentle even if he has one or two hens....
And i read that she started layong! That's great news! But i doubt she'll ever go broody as these types of chickens are meant for heavy laying and do not temd to go broody, you can get her an orpington friend, these tend to go broody and are excellent gentle layers!
I needdddd picccsss! Please! Borrow one or just use a phone!

 

[Majd]

Congratulations on your first egg and your journey into the world of chickens... it is fascinating to watch them. It sounds like he is a mature rooster from the behaviour that you are describing. Accompanying her on nest hunting forays and encouraging her when suitable locations are found is one of his duties. It sounds like he is a total gentleman. I'm so pleased he has found such a great home with you.

One word of caution.... beware of "chicken math".... you already have the symptoms.....One chicken has become two and you are already "plotting" for more and you only started a few days ago. I started with 3, two years ago and I now have 50ish.... it quickly gets out of hand so be warned!

Hahahahha yep!!! I love that answer! Oh and as I told you, chicken eggs are much healthier than duck eggs! So i would keep more chickens and less ducks and STOP at that until you have more space or you have your own place

 

[Duckchick2011]

Hahaha, yeah no kidding. I always get the "maths" with animals, even plants, but I learn better the older I get. Animals are more fun when you only have a few, too many and it all just becomes a chore. >.<

I actually wish I had started with chickens instead of ducks. Ducks are so muddy, they make everything around them muddy. The only thing they really have above chickens is that the drakes don't crow. BUT in my neighborhood that is a big plus.

Also, there is nothing quiet so fun as swimming in the lake and being followed by the a small flock of newly hatched ducklings. Jus' saying.

 

[Majd]

Yep you're right! Ducks ate loads of fun! But i find them to be inconvenient in small spaces and are meant for a good size farmlike land, so messy! Chickens do great in smaller spaces with easy cleaning and are just a joy to have! Especially if you're thinking about longterm health, chicken eggs are best, as an adult you can have 2 chicken eggs a day, to maintain good cholesterol and triglycerides levels, while half to one yolk of duck eggs is recommended, so you satisfy your egg hunger while maintaining better health with chicken eggs, that's why my ideal flock whould consist of 2/3chickens, 1/3 ducks/guineafowl/geese/turkeys...
However whatever suits you personally is probably best! And i still need pics whatsoever

 

[Duckchick2011]

I wish I could. I want pics too! but I really don't have a camera that works at the moment...I do have an old cell phone I could try...but not sure if that will work either.

Sad update: I'm thinking we are going to have to re-home Presley. Turns out we have a neighbor who works at night and sleeps during the day. I'm trying to make it work but I can only do so much. He's a rooster, crowing is what roosters do.

I'm glad I got to have him for awhile though. We saved him from being butchered this long, maybe I can find some one who needs a good handsome gentleman rooster for their flock. I'm thinking I still want to keep the hen though, and get her a sister. ^.^

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Roosters do show them where to nest.He may be just 6 months for all we know.