The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hi! New to this forum and have been making the transition over to a healthy, happy flock. Some had to be culled, and letting nature take it's course IF any issues arise. It's much more relaxing, and the youngsters now laying have never had any meds for anything. FF has made a world of difference also.

The roo post caught my attention. I've not experienced issues and some as you stated just take a few more intros. It's been a pleasant surprise! The "boys" are in the middle coop where they can see the hens and other roos. The only one taking any time is a blue Silkie roo. He's almost ready to just let loose with the others. As for the roo coop and run, there are 3, now adult, Bielefelders and the blue Silkie. No issues at all. That little Silkie rules the coop. They are all relaxed, are stretched out in the dirt outside and when they come into the coop act just like the hens. Well, scratch that, they are nicer to one another than the hens can be!

I started changing some of the roos to go out with the hens as an experiment for color breeding on Silkies. It's worked well with the Bielefelders too. NOT sure if this is simply the docile temperament that goes with the breed, or due to the little Silkie's antics.......Either way, they get exchanged to free range so as not too many roos per hens. The Silkie coop is now a good ratio with the pullets laying. Another day or two and Mr Blue pecking order will be full time with the girls.

Bantam of any breed can be little stinkers. I like their spunk and attitude. My large breed roosters are more calm. I only keep dual purpose breeds as I find the light breed roosters to be too much trouble. So either big boys or little boys for me.

I think the right roosters are a wonderful asset to a flock and they can keep the order, and look out for the hens.

I never medicate anything. Birds either recover in short order or they are culled. Most are sick for a reason and won't recover totally anyways. It's never an easy choice, but usually it's a necessary choice.

Welcome to the thread.

 

[GreatBreeder]

Why. I have discovered that they have created a breed of completely featherless chicken for the industry. They say, "Why should I ventilate this place or cool it down, when I can just make featherless chickens so they don't get hot." Stupid industry

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hi! New to this forum and have been making the transition over to a healthy, happy flock. Some had to be culled, and letting nature take it's course IF any issues arise. It's much more relaxing, and the youngsters now laying have never had any meds for anything. FF has made a world of difference also.

The roo post caught my attention. I've not experienced issues and some as you stated just take a few more intros. It's been a pleasant surprise! The "boys" are in the middle coop where they can see the hens and other roos. The only one taking any time is a blue Silkie roo. He's almost ready to just let loose with the others. As for the roo coop and run, there are 3, now adult, Bielefelders and the blue Silkie. No issues at all. That little Silkie rules the coop. They are all relaxed, are stretched out in the dirt outside and when they come into the coop act just like the hens. Well, scratch that, they are nicer to one another than the hens can be!

I started changing some of the roos to go out with the hens as an experiment for color breeding on Silkies. It's worked well with the Bielefelders too. NOT sure if this is simply the docile temperament that goes with the breed, or due to the little Silkie's antics.......Either way, they get exchanged to free range so as not too many roos per hens. The Silkie coop is now a good ratio with the pullets laying. Another day or two and Mr Blue pecking order will be full time with the girls.

@sonshine15

Do you have some photos of how you have them housed? I'm trying to picture what you're saying but not sure I'm getting it right.

How many females do you have in total? Do you separate the different breeds or let them all run together? How many roos get out to range at the same time?

 

[CuzChickens]

No one has successfully incubated an egg for 21 days in their bra.  They've held an egg that was close to hatch in their bra for the last bit of incubation.  But 21 days?  Hasn't happened to my knowledge.  If one wants to hatch an egg successfully without dealing with deformities in the chick, they need an incubator or a broody hen.

I'm not sure any one on BYC has successfully done it, but I know Chinese women incubate rare breeds that way. It seems more climate controlled then a bowl with plastic wrap like the Japanese students hatched a chick in.

 

[lazy gardener]

Human body temp is 98.6*F Skin temp is 92.3 - 98.4*F. A chicken egg requires 99.5* to hatch. While it might, theoretically be possible, I expect the most likely outcome would be a bra omlette, or a deformed chick. If you can find documentation of a successful 21 day hatch, it might be an amusing read.

 

[Elemes]

Hello, I saw some discussion of roosters and Cockerel here, so thought I'd jump in - I have a FBCM Cockerel (10 months old) who is ....not super patient with the hens when it comes to mating. He will chase them bite their comb and just make a mess of feathers if he has his way. He is good with me but likes to chase humans who are not assertive, or are strangers. This Has me thinking he should go... but I've been holding to see if his temperment develops.
I have another, younger Cockerel, who's getting a little chase-y as well, but he doesn't get as far as the other.
Does it sound like you'd get rid of the Cockerel, for a small flock (limited production, homestead, free range)?

 

[lazy gardener]

Hello, I saw some discussion of roosters and Cockerel here, so thought I'd jump in - I have a FBCM Cockerel (10 months old) who is ....not super patient with the hens when it comes to mating. He will chase them bite their comb and just make a mess of feathers if he has his way. He is good with me but likes to chase humans who are not assertive, or are strangers. This Has me thinking he should go... but I've been holding to see if his temperment develops.
I have another, younger Cockerel, who's getting a little chase-y as well, but he doesn't get as far as the other.
Does it sound like you'd get rid of the Cockerel, for a small flock (limited production, homestead, free range)?

Why do you have a cockrel in the first place? Are you intending to hatch more chicks? If so, do you have an exit plan for all of the un-wanted cockrels? If you can't reform either of these dudes, I'd invite them to dinner. Can you pen the boys away from the girls?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hello, I saw some discussion of roosters and Cockerel here, so thought I'd jump in - I have a FBCM Cockerel (10 months old) who is ....not super patient with the hens when it comes to mating. He will chase them bite their comb and just make a mess of feathers if he has his way. He is good with me but likes to chase humans who are not assertive, or are strangers. This Has me thinking he should go... but I've been holding to see if his temperment develops.
I have another, younger Cockerel, who's getting a little chase-y as well, but he doesn't get as far as the other.
Does it sound like you'd get rid of the Cockerel, for a small flock (limited production, homestead, free range)?

By 10 months most behaviors are set in a rooster. Best you can hope for is he calms down a bit. I would remove him from the flock either temporarily or permanently. I personally don't put of with aggressive behaviors out of my roosters, either towards the hens or people.

 

[Bantambird]

Unless you are showing or breeding and temperament is secondary to looks, I would definitely get rid of aggressive birds. Perhaps separating the boys for a while could mellow out their grabby behavior, as they may be just at that age where pubescence causes inappropriate behavior, but your hens don't need to be mauled.

 

[Elemes]

By 10 months most behaviors are set in a rooster. Best you can hope for is he calms down a bit. I would remove him from the flock either temporarily or permanently. I personally don't put of with aggressive behaviors out of my roosters, either towards the hens or people.

Yeah, the 10 month old has been penned and he hasn't grown up/out of it. He was the DW favorite, and I would like to use him for breeding, but it may not be worth the hassle. I have culled cockerels at younger ages for similar behavior. I was hoping against hope this one would get to stick around. but he isn't getting the point.