We ordered female chicks, and as will happen even paying extra does not guarantee anything. "Ellen" as he was originally named has crowed his first time today! We don't have a problem keeping him, he is a beautiful RR. However, we have 21 hens (expecting it was going to be 22 without a rooster). So is there are safety issue for his trying to service (his choice, lol, not mine) these hens? If he will be okay, we will leave it as is. If not, how do we introduce another rooster later without their killing each other? what would be a good 'match' breed if we didn't choose RR? We have Black Australorp, RR and BR hens.
The coop door question is around whether to close it for the health of the birds. There is no safety issue with or without the door being closed. If anything got through the metal fabric that lines the run out and up around the outside to the roof or the metal fabric ramp enclosure, then the door isn't going to keep them out either, lol, and at this point we leave it open and they come and go at will from the coop to the run. We have cold hardy birds and it doesn't get into the teens for long periods of time here and infrequently at best. Is it okay to leave the door open or should be close it nightly?
Thanks,
Bella
The coop door question is around whether to close it for the health of the birds. There is no safety issue with or without the door being closed. If anything got through the metal fabric that lines the run out and up around the outside to the roof or the metal fabric ramp enclosure, then the door isn't going to keep them out either, lol, and at this point we leave it open and they come and go at will from the coop to the run. We have cold hardy birds and it doesn't get into the teens for long periods of time here and infrequently at best. Is it okay to leave the door open or should be close it nightly?
Thanks,
Bella
