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I have hatched under a broody in October, and actually it worked well. I nearly pulled the chicks when at 2 weeks of age, we hit a cold spell of -20 night time temperatures, but she raised them just fine. I did feed soaked grain, as I was worried about water freezing too fast. Mrs K

Very true. And they don't call it cock fighting for nothing. After a 3 month go with the ladies, he is not going to go back into the rooster flock easily. And a lot of rooster flocks don't work well over the long term. So as others have said, this might work, but in my experience, the more...

Ridgerunner has it right. And once they find a good place, they will be back to it. And they can do a lot of damage to new plants in less time than it takes to tell about it. While I think a dirt bath would be a good addition to your set up, it will not discourage them from going where they...

The thing is, you can have this hobby for years. I think waiting is a good decision.

Shade is important, but it moves around during the day, check at different time period during the day to make sure it is available. I have a sandy soil in my run, dumping water on that in a shady spot helps. But shade and water available is important. Mrs K

Can you post pictures of your set up? Especially the inside of your coop with roosting bars, and the outside area. Space is generally the worst problem. And while people often post plans of going bigger...later, one really needs to reduce the size of the flock NOW. Chickens do not understand...

Well, they really don't look to you as their mother. And there are lots of ways to cull birds. While processing one for food is one way, giving them away or selling them is another. Most people have limited space, and eventually have to make decisions on whether to keep or let birds go for the...

Wow- I never examine mine. They seem to thrive on healthy neglect? Everyone does chickens their own way. Yours is really a different way. If mine are eating, active and bright eyed and laying, I figure they are good. I do not have rescue chickens, but I have never had all those problems. I am...

You really don't have to do all or nothing. You could easily sell laying hens. Personally I vote for removing 1/3 of the flock, and adding 1/3 of the flock, and repeat that next year. This keeps your flock young, it keeps the flock multi-generational. Also - I put my chicks out with the others...

The first time I saw mine do it outside in damp earth, I thought they had died. The were all stretched out, partially buried, and kind of kicking...I thought it was the death throes. Then they saw me, jumped up and shook and looked just fine!

Thing is with the shortening days, that is acting against you. I would expect eggs, about a month after the shortest day. I had pullets last fall, that were so close to laying in November, but did not lay until nearly the end of January.

Birds in a brooder tend to stick together during the juvenile stage. They form what is called a sub flock. As pullets approach laying they rise in the social status, and one day you go down and realize the sub flock is gone, it is just one flock of laying hens. The cockerel is going to develop...

Or remove the bully

When I have gotten new hens, they laid for a day or two, then took several off. I really don't think the diet has much to do with it. Unless you were starving your birds down to nothing, that would make them quite laying. As long as they have calories and a protein source they are fine...

Your favorite way! Personally I like mine basted.

Well even in the depth of winter, occasionally I get a few eggs, so if I can use these to bake or scramble, that will help.

She sounds broody to me. She won't accept the 4 week old chicks, but she would take day old chicks. Otherwise it would be best to break her.

Just put her in a small dog crate at night. However, this can be a sign that you have space issues. Can you take some measurements and pictures of your coop? Some birds can take a little crowding, and some can't tolerate it at all. I see you have just joined us, welcome. I also note that you...

With a 21 month old child, I would not keep the rooster. Kids make mistakes, children are who cockerels tend to attack first, children under the age of five, tend to take the attack in the face. Maybe a kid will make a mistake, maybe he will be completely innocent, but no child deserves to be...

How long have you had chicken? Roosters need a lot of experience and a lot of the cause a lot of problems.