Recent content by McCouchsky

Regarding a rooster raised in a multi generational flock, I am considering having a hen hatch some fertilized eggs (not from my current roosters), and let the current roosters and older hens teach any cockerels some things before culling these roosters. I am heavily leaning on getting rid of the...

Respectfully, these are livestock, not pets. Edit: And the hens need to be picked up from time to time for their sake. If the rooster gets in the way of this then he is a bad rooster and needs to go. I don't see this as arguable. Edit#2: I seem to recall reading that what you are suggesting is...

Well that is the plan. I'm not going to go smack him for no reason, but I will create a situation, repeatedly, where I am showing that I am the dominant rooster - I will pick up the hens whenever I want and parade them around and ignore him. If he repeatedly has a problem with this and attacks...

I have the chickens in an area enclosed by a poultry fence, far away from the one neighbor that we do have and far away and inaccessible from visitors or delivery people. My children are far too young to even be able to get outside by themselves, let alone into the chicken area. So these aren't...

Has the line been crossed for culling then? I mean I did pick up the hens and the hens complained. He doesn't charge if I am holding a hen and the hen does not complain. Where is the line? Regarding the breeding, it was my understanding that cockerels are often rough with hens when the...

I have two 10 month old roosters. A RIR and a Barred Rock. The RIR once, about 4 months ago, jumped me when I picked up a hen and the hen complained. I had to smack him away pretty hard with the back of my hand. Since then this rooster has not shown any signs of aggression towards me whatsoever...

Hello everyone. I am new to backyard chickens (both this site, and raising poultry). About 1 week ago I noticed that at least one (but not anywhere near majority) of my ten 5 week old chicks have this strange black poop. It is different from the brown cecal poop that I have previously seen. I...