Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[littlecritters]

Hello everyone  I harvested one of my roosters for the first time this week.  As with most of us out here I did not grow up on a farm growing up on Long Island but when one of chicks I bought as a future hen turned into a rooster and was blowing up the neighborhood all day I knew I had to do something.  It was not a pleasant experience but went pretty well for the first time.  To be honest it went just like the videos that are all over the internet.  I have two more Roos that I will have to take care of soon.  It will be good practice for my meat birds I am raising for the end of September.  Anyone else have first time stories?

You are a brave person.

 

[Biologrady]

You are a brave person.

Agreed, Brave. I haven't processed roosters since I did it with mom and grand mom as a teen. Since I've become a parent I have become a wuss. For now I'll stick to just hens!

 

[queenchick16]

Good morning all. I don't know if it means anything but I did in fact begin Rosie on antibiotics yesterday and after a week and a half of not laying, this morning she left us an egg. I'm going to take it as a thank you for caring for me...lol
However, figures...just started on the medicine so can't eat it. Oh well, there will be time for that after she's better

Hopefully she's turned the corner. I'm happy for you

 

[queenchick16]

Will be having to process 2arucanas and the salmon Fav if he ever crows.the rumpless little monsters are already crowing but are very funny not loud al all. But they are already mounting my one little tiny bantam and that has to stop.

Bio, I have always just introduced them at night and have never had a problem. You'll just have to keep an eye on them throughout the day.

 

[queenchick16]

Just make sure they can get to water and food and not be picked on in the process.

 

[Biologrady]

Queenchick16, did you partition the space at all or just pop them into the coop?

 

[CarolinaIsland]

Horrible awful day. Had the girls out today and that little bantam hen that Roberta gave me FLEW into a tree from all the way across the yard. When I tried to get her she flew into the woods. There was no way I could get back there. I called for her (as did Vinny) and shook the mealworms. She never came. I was hoping she would return to roost at dusk but no sign of her yet.
Very, very disappointed.
Roberta, if you see her please let me know. I'm devastated.
I've been keeping them confined and only letting them out while I'm there to supervise but she just flew. I can't believe how far she flew.

 

[queenchick16]

Queenchick16, did you partition the space at all or just pop them into the coop?

Do you have separate coops for them so you can do that?
I have 2 coops in my run and have partitions that are removable. That is ideal. Then I start taking the screen out one at a time. I thought you only have a few days.before my current setup I would just wait till night time. Good luck. I hope this helps. Just be around and keep an Ieye on them the first day

 

[Biologrady]

Do you have separate coops for them so you can do that?
I have 2 coops in my run and have partitions that are removable. That is ideal. Then I start taking the screen out one at a time. I thought you only have a few days.before my current setup I would just wait till night time. Good luck. I hope this helps. Just be around and keep an Ieye on them the first day

Thanks, I have a coop with a pop hole on one end and a human door on the other, and some movable fence for the run, so I figure if I temporarily divide the coop and run I can be the ultimate control freak and decide who gets to mix with whom and when. I have until Sunday, then I have to come back to Long Island so my daughter can go to camp next week. After Sunday my mom will be the only referee. She loves the chickens, but they are added work, and I hate to leave her with extra chicken drama, so wish me luck! I guess I'll separate for a night or two and if all is going well maybe I'll take out the partition and let them try the sleepover...thanks!

 

[Biologrady]

Horrible awful day. Had the girls out today and that little bantam hen that Roberta gave me FLEW into a tree from all the way across the yard. When I tried to get her she flew into the woods. There was no way I could get back there. I called for her (as did Vinny) and shook the mealworms. She never came. I was hoping she would return to roost at dusk but no sign of her yet.
Very, very disappointed.
Roberta, if you see her please let me know. I'm devastated.
I've been keeping them confined and only letting them out while I'm there to supervise but she just flew. I can't believe how far she flew.