The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Could you elaborate for the uninitiated (that's me)

Do you mean that if I go outside and he just stretches up tall I should make an advance EVERY TIME?

I didn't realize that was his asserting his authority but I can surely advance on him with no problem if needed. He's just 15 weeks tomorrow so I haven't paid a lot of attention for such things and just thought the tall stretching was a "rooster stance thing" but didn't realize it may be AIMED at me in particular.

Never experienced him bumping my hands or anything like that when he was little. He just acted like all the rest of them.

Edited to add: Whenever I enter the area he has never advanced toward me..usually goes the other way because the oldsters will attack him if they think I have food so he runs away and waits until I spread around enough ground food that they can all get it without a rukus.

 

[Sally8]

All males are different in the same as females laying eggs are different. I have had fertile males at 4 months old. My English Orp took almost 6 months before he could actually figure out how to stay on with out falling off. Right now he is servicing 11 hens and I have 100% fertility so he does pretty good for a 7 month old cockerel.
As far as *training* for aggression. Eventually you just know when to nip it in the bud. It starts when they are young. If you stop it than, it really does not develop. The first time they flip a wing at you, you have missed about 10 aggressive behaviors already. That chest bumping on your hand when they are about 3- 4 weeks old? It might be cute, but, trust me..it is not. It is aggression. A good plink with a finger should stop it. Same with that tall stretch they do. Puff out the little chest and approach...nope..just one little step in his direction and it immediately stops. They are already testing and placing you with in there own little hierarchy. Make sure they know you are the alpha.

I'm glad you posted this now. I have 2 little EE males almost 3 weeks that are doing just that. They come right at my hand bumping or pecking me. I figure it was aggression but when they get a little older they'll be tasty. This year, as opposed to last, I'm better set to handle multiple roosters for a few months. I'm curious, for those of you that breed for show, don't you have to rotate roo's every so often? In my mind there isn't a need to keep a mean rooster, even if he could be trained. I'll jump back to dogs, some of you can train them, but once one has bitten I wouldn't trust them ever around my grandchildren. If I were able to train dogs, I wouldn't have put up with incessant barking from my own! lol We went to obedience school, Cooper buffaloed them but my certificate looks nice. (Again, mine is a herding dog, if I wanted a lap dog, an Australian Shepherd wouldn't have been a good choice)

 

[BlueMouse]

so.... what do you think this little guy is?? I was given six mixed bantam chicks several weeks ago. I won't keep most of them, but I'm kind of hoping this one is a girl, I'm loving the fluffy feet. I've spent the last two weeks looking at pictures of feather footed bantams but can't seem to figure out what he/she is! I THINK they're about four weeks old.

 

[ssterling1776]

MF Bantam Cochin??

 

[loanwizard]

Have a nice evening Ladies <3

 

[NanaLynn]

I have a odd question, maybe someone has dealt with this before: Do Cochin's make a honking sound, kinda like a goose? My blue cochin honks sometimes now.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

hey all.

What are some good preventatives for lice and mites.
I know WormWood can prevent lice but that is all.

 

[sunflowerparrot]

Hello everyone bbsnooks let me know about this wonderful forum - so, here I am! I live in south-central Kansas.. have a variety of the usual chickens, some guineas, ducks, goslings, cats and 2 Great Pyrenees. I'm fairly new to this lifestyle, but loving every single minute of it and continue to learn with each new thing I try. I tried goats and learned in 2 days they weren't for me - how's that for fast learning!?

I look forward to getting to know you guys.

 

[mlowen]

Shawn...lovely voice, sweet, thoughtful. My birthday is in November.

 

[Smithyard Farm]

Hello everyone!
i have a question on the Cornish rock crosses. I want to get some meat birds.. but i think the hybrid freaks me out a little it. Is there a way to feed them more humanly and not have them get so big so fast? if not, is there another good meat bird that you would recommend?