Texas

[Brookshire11]

I stink at sharing links, but the Chicken Whisper is having a contest and giving away a cool coop.

Oooh! Thanks! Is it a blog? I haven't heard of that one yet

 

[hensfortherapy]

I have been in Okla since Thursday. Off and on service. Trying to catch up. Whew.

 

[hensfortherapy]

Oooh! Thanks! Is it a blog? I haven't heard of that one yet

I am not sure, a friend posted on my Facebook cause she knows I love chickens.

 

[hensfortherapy]

 

[hensfortherapy]

Hi,

I'm completely new to chickens and "inherited" 4 chickens from my husbands grandpa. Sadly I only have 2 left (one rooster was attacked by a predator and the other rooster was killed by another rooster who we thought was a hen!) but I am wanting to get more chickens now (I'm a little obsessed). The only place I know to look for chickens is on Craigslist but there aren't a lot on there. I'd prefer to get already laying hens instead of pullets or having to hatch my own right now. I live in Alvarado, does anyone have any insight on where I can find some hens?

Thank you for any help!

What big city are you close to?

 

[jajeanpierre]

Today, I culled my cockerel flock down from four well-bred Ameraucanas down to one. The useless and very ugly pet quality Silkie cockerel and the frazzed Cochin cockerels are still around--they are nice birds and cause no trouble.

I'm moving chickens around tonight, to give the lone Amermaucana boy some girls--I'll move three Polish (I'll cut their top knots) and a bantam Plymouth Rock out of the "little chicken" backyard flock to the front two acres. In a few days when they have settled in to their new digs, I'll put the lavender Ameraucana hen back with him, keeping the two Ameraucana hens I intend to show separate in a big pen.

Am I relieved to have only the one LF cockerel. He's a beautiful bird from a breeding and exhibiting perspective, but not a particularly nice personality., and I will have to get rid of him soon enough if he doesn't have an attitude adjustment soon. I will use him for a few chicks. I'm expecting any day, another 12 day-old chicks from the breeder, so will replace him with one of the new birds unless he starts behaving.

Today I was trying to keep him from hopping the fence into the back yard with the "little chicken" flock since he was all alone, so I thought I would put him in the macaw cage. Big mistake! The macaws went to ground and stomped over to attack. I had to rescue him. The macaws were really funny, picking up sticks just like the cockerels when they get aggressive with people.

 

[RachaelS]

Quote:
Yes, it is pricey, I think $200ish.... but could be worth it to you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/705084/decrowing-roosters

 

[RachaelS]

Does anyone know what this is? Large swollen nodules. She's an 8 month old Ameracauna.

Sorry I can't help, but I hope you figure it out

jajeanpierre has good advice, best of luck!

 

[ronniewayne]

Many someone can help: I'm selling the roo through a poultry buy sell trade page on facebook. I don't really feel like I should "sell" him but I guess I also worry about cockfighting. Any tips? Or is it out of my hands

this has already been answered I think if you are not worried about him becoming chicken dinner?? I think most roo's wind up chicken dinner as the ratio of 1 to 10 to 15 hens is really good in a backyard flock. there would be no concern about him being in a cockfight unless he is American game and bred and trained for it otherwise he would never find his way to a cockfight. as someone said usually the home processed birds are much more humanely treated in life and the way they are killed and processed. I would add if you plan to enjoy your chickens and raise new ones you will have to come to terms with the excess roo's . you will not be able to rehome as pets very many of these birds most will become chicken dinner. I love to raise them and watch them grow. I love fresh eggs and fresh meat without all the bad stuff the ones at the store have. I hope this helps

on a happy note also I just put 108 heritage rhode island red eggs in the bator . love the little red fluff balls but I will have a lot of roo's to deal with there too .. happy hatching

 

[Brookshire11]

Oops! I thought I replied hours ago.
Im not opposed to processing. I know eventually my girls will get older and ill have to make the choice between having eggs, which was my original drive for having chickens, or keeping them as pets. I don't have enough space for both.
The only reason im rehoming him is that the city doesnt allow roosters at all. I don't know my time frame before he starts crowing.
I knew when I got chicks that not all of the "pullets" would be hens. I knew I'd get a roo or two Im just unfamiliar with the practice of selling them I guess, which is fine cause it was never my focus.
I could keep him and hope he lays an egg lol But he's already getting red and iridescent green/black feathers, his comb is hot pink with 3 rows of peas, while my other two EEs have yet to get any pigment..things just aren't looking promising for him..lol. I know he may (most likely) end up in a pot. I know his chance of living out his days as a pet are not great. He IS a chicken, and Im okay with him feeding some family. But the cockfighting info makes me feel a lot better.