Sorting chicks using a new pen/coop.

[starheel]

I am fairly new to chickens but loving them! I got my first batch in September 5 layers (asian black, olive egger, cinnamon queen, new hampshire) and a rooster (olive egger). Now I am a bit obsessed and 12 chicks to add. (2 EE, 2 blue marans, 4 golden comets, 2 Barnies (1 pullet, 1 cockeral (planning to cull)) 2 Cochins (1 pullet, 1 cockeral (wanting to keep))

I chose these chicks because I am loving different egg colors and because I want my cochin to hatch eggs and raise chicks for me.

SO, I am building another run (15ftx20ft) and coop (4ftx7ft). The purpose is to have a safe place for my two cochins and my children to interact with chickens safely.

Here are my questions:
1. Two cochins is not enough correct? Who should I add to keep them company, I was thinking the marans. But now I am thinking the golden comets. Thoughts? I want them to be good with kids.
2. I know roosters and young children are a bad combination but what about a Cochin rooster? Does anybody have any experience with this?
3. What breeds should I consider adding to my flock in the future? Are there any I should stay away from? What breed of rooster would be a good follow up to my olive egger? (good temperament, colorful eggs, ideally duel purpose)

 

[cavemanrich]

If you are going to build on,,,, I suggest you build the run attached to the other one. This way all chickens interact thru the fence,. Then slip a few of the other chickens into the Cochin run,, and see how they interact. Other option,,, is get some bantams and slip them in with the Cochins. Pretty sure the hen will accept the newcomers easily,,,, but I have no experience with roosters,, (Cochin, or other breeds.)
What is reason you want to keep Cochin rooster?? More Cochins in the future??

I think from what you have,, any of those hens would work out well. I keep only hens,, and never had any issues with the hens bothering, or attacking children.
How old are your children?? Obviously if small,,, you would not have them in chicken vicinity alone. My only concerns are roosters. Some can be nice,,,, and others same breed can be not nice.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[starheel]

Yes, I will be building on the side of the existing coop, so they should all be able to see an interact. My reasons for keeping the rooster, for now, is really that he is cute, a light purple/blue color, and he was sick and I nursed him back to health at a week old. I know my other rooster isn't going to let him stay. We do have hawks and other predators as well. I don't think I would mind more Cochins either. This will be my first. Yes my kids are young, 2 and 4 years old. Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[cavemanrich]

Don't expect the roosters to protect your flock from hawks.. Yes,, they may warn of danger,,, but that is all. Yes, I have read of roosters doing heroic things,, but those are exceptions,, not the norm. I suggest you get bird netting for tops of runs. A light tarp on the run tops also may provide sun and rain protection. No location in your profile,,, so not sure snow load is issue in your area.

 

[Mrs. K]

The more roosters you have, the more chance of it not working. BE VERY AWARE of the roosters with children that age around them. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of kids. Inexperienced people tend to underestimate the violence of a rooster attack until they see it.

Breeds really have little to do with rooster behavior, you can pretty much get a rotten rooster from any breed. I don't want to rain on your parade, but I don't want you children hurt either.

The best rooster IMO come from multi-generational flocks, but there is no way to guarantee you get a good rooster. Just be very aware, watch for aggressive tendencies, do not make excuses for his behavior, and know that todays behavior is no prediction for tomorrows.

Good luck,

Mrs K

 

[starheel]

The more roosters you have, the more chance of it not working. BE VERY AWARE of the roosters with children that age around them. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of kids. Inexperienced people tend to underestimate the violence of a rooster attack until they see it.

Breeds really have little to do with rooster behavior, you can pretty much get a rotten rooster from any breed. I don't want to rain on your parade, but I don't want you children hurt either.

The best rooster IMO come from multi-generational flocks, but there is no way to guarantee you get a good rooster. Just be very aware, watch for aggressive tendencies, do not make excuses for his behavior, and know that todays behavior is no prediction for tomorrows.

Good luck,

Mrs K

Hmmm. Ok. Rooster likely = rooster regardless of the breed. Roosters =bad for small children, which I have already seen with my current rooster. So if I need to decide if I want to breed my cochins, I read that is hard to do, or have a safe place for my youngsters to interact with chickens. And be ready to get rid of the rooster at the any sign of aggression.