Something you wish had been invented in chicken keeping.

[Fishychix]

Has anyone mentioned solar lighting?

I wish there was a solar lighting set that came with a timer. Just a small string like the ones for running around the deck, but you can set a permanent timer that goes on and off everyday by itself. To accomplish a simple task that I could plug a simple gadget that’s been around for decades into a normal socket and get reliable light timing, but solar, it would be so expensive.

I had the same thought years ago, but it seems impossible to find anythng like that. Why? We have every part needed, how is it no one has managed to put them together and sell it? Unless we’re both missing something.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I want a genetic machine where you can make any chicken you want.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Lol, nice, but incredibly gorges roosters.

 

[FloorCandy]

I had the same thought years ago, but it seems impossible to find anythng like that. Why? We have every part needed, how is it no one has managed to put them together and sell it? Unless we’re both missing something.

Something like this but instead of plugging it in the cord goes to a solar panel, then I could plug the lights and maybe a heat bowl in the bitter cold.
https://www.amazon.com/Century-Outd...ords=solar+plug+outlet&qid=1597971032&sr=8-15

 

[BDutch]

Caponizing already exists. I suppose you mean a less invasive or less risky way?

Caponizing to reduce the alarm is a no-go for hobbyists. This is why I asked in the breeder section why there are no breeders who try to establish a new breed that doesn’t make so much /no crowing noises. The thread didn't have any enthusiastic responses. Please respond if you are interested too in this ‘New breed ‘no crow rooster’ thread. Maybe there will he one or two breeders who lije to make an attempt..?

More info about caponizing:
Translated from Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 2015 , https://vdt.ugent.be/sites/default/files/08-va-.pdf
Questions:
“I would like to receive an explanation about how to cap males. Pros and cons?
When (age)?
I am asking this question in response to the reduction in fertility and in response to the fertility caused in neighborhoods. ”

Answer:
Caponing of industrial poultry is performed at the age of one to two weeks in order to obtain a higher carcass value (Echols, 2002). Routine castration is performed exceptionally in companion birds. Relatively little is known about the effect of castration on bird behavior. Adult, sexually mature birds often show less mating or territorial behavior after castration, but reed-developed cock behavior often does not seem to hide (Echols, 2002).

Genital surgery in birds is not easy to perform. In addition to the need for specialized equipment and sufficient surgical experience, the anatomical knowledge of the male sex apparatus and the unique characteristics of the avian circulatory system determine the success of this procedure. Especially the limited accessibility of the testes and the risk of fatal bleeding play a decisive role (De Cooman et al., 2011).

Poultry hobbyists regularly ask the veterinarian to perform this procedure that would make a rooster crow less. Naturally, these are adult animals that have already been exposed to a pronounced hormonal influence. Performing a castration does not reveal that it has hormonally determined dragged properties.

edited:some spelling

 

[BDutch]

I wish there was some way to keep a hens back safe from overmating . Not her back as in the saddle area (we already use a mating saddle for that) but the back part of her wings that can’t be covered like that.

I also wish there was some way to stop hen pecking, I never catch anyone in the act of doing it but I’ve got a Mille fleur d’Uccle with almost no beard anymore and a rooster and his mother that don’t grow feathers in certain spots anymore because it’s been pecked so much.

I’m grateful and love all of my roosters, accidental and planned, but I know some people can’t have roosters or don’t like them. Not to mention the hatcheries that can do horrible things to the unwanted males

I wonder.
Do you keep all the roosters you hatch?
You just can’t keep as much roosters as females together without injuries. Common advice is to keep 1 rooster with 4 to 10 hens. If you want to keep more roosters you have to keep them separated in another setup.

How much space do you have?
If chickens don’t have enough space they get stressed and feather picking is often caused by lack of space. Its also more difficult to keep a healthy flock (hygiene). Common advice for a healthy flock is to give normal size chickens 0,5 - 1m2 (5 - 10,7 ft2) inside/coop area and 4 m2 (43 ft2) outside/range area.

Why do you breed with roosters with behaviour issues?
IMO its important to breed for looks AND for character.