Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
Much better ratio is 1:10. He's overworking those girls and removing the spurs won't help much. You need more hens quickly, or get rid of him since he's not gentle with your flock.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

I have 5 hens and one rooster right now (still trying to get more hens).

I think if you had more hens you wouldn't have the problem anymore. Some roosters are more randy then others. Yours sounds like he needs 10 to 20 hens to keep him satisfied.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Quote: All you can do is try, but know that he has hormones contributing.

question for those more informed.

I've got hens that are losing the feathers on their backs from my very eager rooster with very big spurs. The Barred rock has a 4x4" bald patch and the Wyandotte has no feathers on her tail at all- looking pretty sad there. I was told that I probably need to trim the rooster's spurs/nails/talons. I checked online for some answers- looks like you can just remove the outer sheath of the spurs? Has anyone done this? (I can't imagine putting aprons/saddles on my hens)

You have 2 options. Get rid of the rooster or saddle up the girls. The spurs are not causing the baldness. His rubbing is what is doing it. He may be an over zealous mater. I have 2 of mine in saddles and more are due to arrive from Louise's Country Closet. A third option, if you can legally add numbers to your flock, is get to a ratio of at least 10:1 hen to rooster. Gives him more hens to spread the love.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

rainmom I suggest getting a dog crate or a large cage to keep your rooster in and just let him with your girls for a few hours. that way he's not hurting them.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Question for those of you who've gone from small "backyard" flocks to larger flocks (20+ birds):

Do you ever stop naming them and thinking they're ALL your favorites? I'm trying to decide if I want to get rid of a couple of last year's birds either this spring or next, and just thinking about who to get rid of made me want to cry. And yet, I KNOW I'm not going to be the type of chicken owner to keep birds who aren't laying. They cost way too much to feed these days! So I guess I wonder, if all 12 of my big girls are absolutely indispensible because I'm too attached, how many birds does one need to have before it just kinda like "Oh, we have too many. That one and that one can go, yada yada"...

I know I will have names for all but the extra cockerels that will be meaties. And I will likely have at least 50+ by next spring(at current rate of expansion)

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

Question for those of you who've gone from small "backyard" flocks to larger flocks (20+ birds):

Do you ever stop naming them and thinking they're ALL your favorites? I'm trying to decide if I want to get rid of a couple of last year's birds either this spring or next, and just thinking about who to get rid of made me want to cry. And yet, I KNOW I'm not going to be the type of chicken owner to keep birds who aren't laying. They cost way too much to feed these days! So I guess I wonder, if all 12 of my big girls are absolutely indispensible because I'm too attached, how many birds does one need to have before it just kinda like "Oh, we have too many. That one and that one can go, yada yada"...

my chickens at my moms house have names. there is one, two, three, four, five, six....... and the roosters name is now "uh oh" He attacks men. my chickens here at my house have names. Feather brain, momma,Yummy, Blackened, Curly sue, and my chick has yet to be named. Waiting to see what type of personality she has. Feather brain got her name because she would stand at the door of the pen and have a fit cause she couldn't get out with the door wide open.

No such thing as to many chickens, or ducks. It's one animal where you can hoard them without abusing them. The more you have the better it is. If you have enough of them you can sell the eggs to help pay for their feed and supplies.

 

[HoneysuckleHills]

Farmin Momma - this is my Polish. We got her from one of the feed stores. We named her Cisco and sometimes call her Elvis. She holds her own and has been lots of fun. She laid a nice white egg - maybe 4 or 5 per week - but only for the first couple years. Now she's a pet. I wouldn't hesitate to get another.
If you want to see an amazing Tolbunt Polish, find Illia's. Gorgeous.

 

[RainMom]

All you can do is try, but know that he has hormones contributing.
You have 2 options. Get rid of the rooster or saddle up the girls. The spurs are not causing the baldness. His rubbing is what is doing it. He may be an over zealous mater. I have 2 of mine in saddles and more are due to arrive from Louise's Country Closet. A third option, if you can legally add numbers to your flock, is get to a ratio of at least 10:1 hen to rooster. Gives him more hens to spread the love.

I'm trying to get more hens- my goal was a dozen. I have no limits on the # of chickens (or anything else) here- just a limit on how many I feel up to taking care of when my son doesn't

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[FirewifeJess]

Farmin Momma - this is my Polish. We got her from one of the feed stores. We named her Cisco and sometimes call her Elvis. She holds her own and has been lots of fun. She laid a nice white egg - maybe 4 or 5 per week - but only for the first couple years. Now she's a pet. I wouldn't hesitate to get another.
If you want to see an amazing Tolbunt Polish, find Illia's. Gorgeous.

WOW! What an amazing and gorgeous bird!

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
What kind of hens are you looking for? I *might* have one or two I could part with. Maybe. But I admit if I do part with them I'll cry, even though I know they'd go to a good home. LOL