Rural Gardening: Rooster Question, 0 by Eufaula

Eufaula wrote:
Now let me see! I quit counting a while back , I have so many "Babies " now that I just take a look and can tell if some one is either missing or not where they ought to be! They have their own "Clicks" or groups and seem to always roam together when ranging. I lock everybody up at night and turn them loose every morning. I have 7 waterers and placed all over their areas and they get cleaned and filled every two days. I feed them every morning , just enough to let them know I love them and not enough to leave any on the ground! Since they free range all day! the ones in their breeding yards have feeders that keep them happy and non-accessible to wild birds (mostly)!
My DH and I rarely eat eggs. I gather them up and put the pretty Barred Rock eggs in the fridge for baking or "give Aways"! I spend , usually , around $12.00 a month on wildbird seed and scratch! Every Spring I buy laying mash usually two 40# bags, and of course at least 3 bags of Grower starter,40#, for the new babies ! now all in all I spend less than $300.00 on feed for them a year! Usually averaging about $17.00 a month in early spring!
My point being , I love my chickens! I have several roosters because I have several breeds! All my Chickens are Friendly and come to me and "Talk" ! None of them run from me or try to roost in trees , that would make me think that they aren't happy or felt un-safe in their environment! Now they do have a mind of their own, and if they decide that they arent ready to go where I want them to go ...they dont! But usually a little feed and a little coaxing gets them where they need to be!
Yes, sometimes I think I have too many, if that occurs I sell or trade a couple . It is sometimes a hard choice. I am trying to get the best of the breeds , but sometimes the silliest thing can steal my heart! Like a silly look on a little chicken face or a sideways wobble of tailfeathers that should stand up straight. I have so many outsider Chickens that just dont fit anyones mold on what a " good" chicken feature should be! These are my Pets , No my family, just like someone elses Cat or dog or Parakeet! My little Chihuahua knows that they are his equal,( sometimes more than he cares for)!
So heres a few pictures of my Roosters! Most are kept in their own areas but a few are roaming free range with big old Cocklelooloo , and all is right in the world!
Oh Yes , I did find a home for the big old Buff Orpington roo! He now lives about 2miles away! Only because he and Cocklelooloo could not get along!
heres my Mille Fluer BB- "Popcorn"