by Heather Nicholson of Scratch Cradle
Raising more chickens than you have room for
If the roosters have access to the hens, even while free ranging, there will always be a fellow stalking around the edges of the flock waiting to jump on – or chase down – an unsuspecting hen. The hens are stressed by all of this excess attention, which can become evident through reduced laying, increased pecking, or even illness. Hens can also have their feathers worn away on their back. This can lead to pecking as the pin feathers come in if stress is high or just make them less protected from the weather. Too much attention from rough, hurried cockerels can even result in injuries such as torn combs, pulled feathers, or cuts on the side from long spurs. Limit your roosters to about 1 per 9 hens, depending on the breed. Don’t give your extra boys access to the hens, even while ranging.
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Supplement with nutrient-dense feeds, not just empty calories |
Giving too many treats
Fermenting your feed is a great way to increase the nutrient value. If you are hatching your eggs, be sure to feed an enhanced breeder ration as epigenetics affect both chickens and humans alike.
For more tips, check our Ten Tips for the New Year and Getting Started with Backyard Chickens on Scratch Cradle, and thanks for reading!
14 Comments
[…] There are so many gorgeous, intriguing breeds of chickens! Blue feathering, spiky topknots, feathered feet, and chocolate-colored eggs tempt us into expanding our flock every season. Hatching eggs are addictive, and hatcheries usually have a minimum order of 25. It’s easy for a flock to enlarge beyond the capacity of the coop and run. Ideally, chickens need a minimum of 4 square feet of space per bird inside the coop and 10 square feet apiece in the run. With a greater density, such as the commercially-based popular figure of 1-2 square feet per chicken in the coop, there is much more debris and droppings in the coop, and it builds up quickly unless you plan to clean your coop every other day… Continued on Community Chickens… […]
Thank you for bringing more information to this topic for me.
My only rooster had to be turned into chicken stock this past week. He got so aggressive, I couldn’t go into the chicken pen. He was terrorizing the 6 hens to the point that one wouldn’t even leave the coop. They are much happier now, and gaining weight. Their feathers already look better.
Very wonderful post thank you! yes I am very guilty of too many treats.
From Karin @ http://openbeauty.blogspot.com/
I always enjoy and get alot from your knowledge and expertise. Thank You
Thank you, Anonymous!
I have two roosters and eight hens. They are 10 weeks old. One rooster is dominant. How do I choose which one to keep?
Hi. I’m new to chicken raising but I read everything I can get my hands on about the subject.
I had 18 chickens, 15 were ladies and three were roosters. I had a feeling when the 3 boys were mature they would work over my girls, so when the flock turned 14 weeks I gave away 2 of the roosters. I kept the ‘kind one’ that seemed to get along with everyone.
I made the right choice. They are 18 weeks old today and everything has worked out fine…. I hope this helps.
Anonymous, there are many considerations when choosing a rooster. I have found that the naturally dominant rooster tends to be an excellent choice if you will be free-ranging, but you will definitely need to remember never to turn your back on him (or any rooster for that matter.) For more considerations, check out “Which Rooster?” on my blog Scratch Cradle: http://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/which-rooster/
Yes, I have some barebacked ladies myself! In one coop, I have 2 roosters in with 9 hens at the moment, and it is definitely one too many. The hens higher on the pecking order are still looking good, but the lower-status hens are treaded more often.
Dawn, I agree it is fun when they all come running! If you still want to give treats, you could try throwing them a mix of more nutritious supplements or maybe just mix it up – mealworms one day, sunflower seeds the next, and so on. That way, they are not getting too much of any one thing over the long run.
Darn it! I have to slow down on treats? ok. ok. It’s so fun when they see you and a whole flock comes barreling at you. I would rather have them healthy.
I do need to have a rooster plucking party…
Also guilty of the rooster problem. My buff brahmas have gigantic pink backs…so sad. Time for some chicken stew.
Guilty of the rooster problem !!!!!