I did not know that either,so I asume that if you are going to breed you need more than a few hens in with the rooster?I am going to be doing this breeding thing next spring,I have some blues and splash orpingtons that I want to breed so I`m guessing at lest four hens in with a rooster is that right?
Sadness..Sadness!
I've often had single hens with a rooster with no issues.
I hope one of our experienced people will weigh in on this. I have several trios I was planning on caging together for long enough to get some pure eggs, but if that's gonna happen, they can mix it up.....
did she have enough room to get away from him??? That could be a issue. Very sorry LFJ
I have probably 1 rooster to 2 to 3 hens all in 2 huge Bantam Araucana pens with no issues so far. 10 to 12 roosters per pen because I don't have the heart to put them down as sweet as they are. Have had no luck selling the ones (hens & roo's) I need to cull.
I also have a trio of Lg Fowl Silver Ameraucana with 4 chicks right now with no issues in a small pen but free range all day
A rooster can take care of 4-6 hens . A dozen roosters and one hen , she won't last long . the roosters will keep on after she is exhausted and down .Same way with ducks and geese
Men!
no 1 roo to 2 or 3 hens so that's 10 to 12 roo's to 24 to 36 hens per pen. 12 roo's to 1 hen would be beyond cruel. I wouldn't even put 2 roo's with 1 hen or she would be dead
One rooster, one hen in a 8X4X4 pen. She was such a sweet thing. I feel mean. I wasn't around to see what was going on. Took him about five days to kill her. He's the sweetest rooster to people. I've had him several years. When I bought him he wasn't well, and it took him awhile to get his health back. I think he's about five years old now. His name is Cotton, and he's a fine specimen of a silkie rooster, as far as I know.
I read online that this happens sometimes. Wish I had known of the danger beforehand. Some have said when the hen will not submit they will sometimes kill them. There were eight other caged roosters fairly nearby that also might have heightened his frenzy. I'm just guessing, but you know how roosters get, they want to fight when other roosters are around.
The other woman had used him for breeding and said she got excellent chicks from him.
Thanks for your kind words, but it will take me awhile for me to get over this. I had such high hopes.
Also, I will have to tell my little grandson. He helped me take her out there, and he'll be hurt too. Wish I could find another hen as beautiful as she was, I would just sneak her in there and he wouldn't know the difference, but little chance of that at the moment.
I had no idea when I started this that there could be so many problems trying to raise chickens. Taking care of a few chickens sounds simple right? NO. Seems like I've made about every mistakes that can be made, one way or the other. It's very emotional too, not to mention expensive. Hen scratch is now $11.25 in Texas.
Can you imagine that when I started this I thought I would get inexpensive eggs? Boy, that's a joke. I used to spend $8.00 a month on eggs. lol
I do enjoy my chickens though, and can't imagine life without them now. That donkey too is such a blessing to me. Can't describe it, but I know what I'm talking about. They have been a life saver for me, and you DGers too. Thanks again.
Awww, LFJ we have all been there! Please do not think that you are a bad mom. We have all gone through these growing pains and losses. We have all experienced the love and laughter too! Dont give up sugar! We are here for ya, just as everyone has been here for me here lately. Iwas at the point of giving in and saying to heck with it, then I would go out and look into the eyes of my remaining chickies and my heart just wont let me give up. They are my little family and they see me as their MOm and I plan to just keep learning and growing and talking with others that do what we do. I am however going to reduce my flocks. I have to be level headed, which is very hard to do, and decide who to keep as pets and who to keep as layers. I love them all.
Since I do not eat that many eggs and I do not kill my chickens to eat.... I had to ask my self a very serious question, "Why"! Well we all know the answer dont we!
Donna , that was a max only one to three or four hens, six hens is better . Actually two or three roos to a flock of twenty five hens is fine .The men will still be pleased . Ours were free range .Imoo the pen was way too small to keep them in together all the time . A hen needs to have a way to get away .
I love silkies . Your roo won't care if you get a new hen , he likes all of them
All I know is what my dear , long gone , m i l taught me when I first married and our chicks were for eggs and the freezer
Awwww, Oofie , we all know , the chicks are dear pets and when they follow you around , anyone can't resist the charm .I'm really attracted to Millie.
Three more days till we're off .
Eufaula, Sorry to hear of your losses, I have been on a trip and have just now gotten back to checking postings. This is horrible, I feel so bad for you. So many gone so quickly, just plain tragic. And to think someone did this on purpose is just maddening and sad.
I always worry about our animals when we are gone. My nephew comes and checks on them and feeds them, but I still worry something could happen while we are away. Ours we all fine when we got home.
Hope you can keep the rest of yours safe. Sending you hugs.
This message was edited Oct 24, 2011 8:43 AM
I do not know anything about silkies but game fowl are always kept in pairs or trios in small pens without any problems. One roo to one or two hens is the norm.
I don't know about silkies or the other little ones either . I was speaking of the larger breeds that are grown for meat and eggs . The little ones may be different. Just seemed a chicken is a chicken .
Maybe little roosters have little man syndrome...
I've seen that before , first hand , from little men . ROFLMAO
This kinda scares me. I had a banty Barred Cochin hen and roo together for months, because she had been getting too much "attention" from the LF Roos. She was actually injured, and I put her and the little roo together after she had healed in solitary. They're now in a new group, and seem to be doing okay but I'll keep a much more careful eye on this. Thanks for the heads up :(
sorry, I obviously need help with this new computer...
This message was edited Oct 26, 2011 6:40 AM
?? I missed that last part.
Okay it seems that Ive been invaded by every kind of predator known to man! So Ive now resorted to locking up my last two Serama Hens with a young cockeral ,( going good so far). My precious little "Calico Millie" is in her pen with her companion. I have my Lavender Splash Hen in an enclosed run with two Modern game roos and their one little hen,(Hawk got my lemon Hen last week). My 4 Silkies have their own House and run too. The 5 LF Hens are out in the big Hen House with their BCMaran Roo. Now I have 2 bantam cochin roos, 3 Serama Roos, a Silkie/Cochin Roo and a Maran/Orpington 4month old ??? I almost forgot my BIG Baby, "Wambli" the Dark Brahma Roo all running free. They all have their special hiding places and roost in the trees or shrubs at night. Most of the Roos will be taken to "The Chickens On Parade Swap ,Sell and Education" Meetup in Conyers (Atlanta ) on Saturday. I have to find new homes for these guys as soon as possible.
I will have photos for all of you and hopefully some good news for a change!
So heart breaking to read of your troubles, Eufaula. I hope all works out well and the hens get good homes...
Waiting to hear how things are going there.
Sorry guys,, Its been another rough week for me and my family. I got to the Swap and education Meetup last Saturday only to be called away because my Mom was taken to the hospital. What at first seemed like a heart attack turned out to be two pulmanary embolism that was blocking proper oxygen from reaching her heart and brain. She was recovering and Dr. said she just needed bed rest and blood thinners and she would be fine in a few days , enough so to come home and rest. It didnt go that well at all. Because of a serious case of mistaken emergency room records my Mom was mixedup with another seriously ill patient and she was accidentally given the wrong meds. My Mom became very disoriented and then near comatose. She tried to get out of bed before the effects got to the worse stage and she fell. No family was allowed to stay with her so we werent there to protect her, thinking hospital staff was doing their duty. Long story short Mom wound up with a serious blow and hematoma on the back of her skull and a fractured neck. Plus the fact she had enough wrong medication in her system to knock out a Bull moose. My Mom is 85 and very active, now she can barely move.
Needless to say My family and I have been all over the board with getting her proper care and now orthopedic therapy, all the while my sweet Dad is home with Alzhiemers and part of the family home with him 24/7.
So sorry for taking this forum to download my problems but you guys really count with me and I know youre all there for me. Prayers requested and love to you all. Hopefully I will be able to bring better news soon!
I never know what to say in situations like this. It's very awkward isn't it? So, just will say I am so sorry to hear this, you are in my prayers, and I hope your mother gets better soon. Doesn't surprise me at all to hear this about the hospital, which is why I do not like or trust doctors.
If there was somewhere in this world I could go to hide from everything I see going on, I would go. Problem is, it is worldwide, so might as well stay put where at least I know where I am, sort of anyway.
Hope your mom bounces back real quick. Sounds like she is an outstanding woman. The older I get the more I appreciate how the seniors deal with life.
Lately I've had problems with my neck as well, just waking up hurting, so I did some research and read about buckwheat pillows. Have had about three nights sleep on it so far. Too early to tell, but it does give some support that the fluff pillows cannot. A lady I know online fell and hurt her neck and is in constant pain, surgery she feels is too dangerous, so she's trying to tough it out. Her arms are numb and sometimes fail to respond. Spinal injuries are probably about the worst thing you can have.
Take care of yourself too Eufaula. Try not to stress too much. It'll all work out. God Bless.
I wanted to know if this serama is a good one, or if it is supposed to be fuller in the chest area? Such a pretty color I thought. Seems the serama lovers on here want them to look like Dolly Pardon, so not sure she would qualify a being exquisite. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=592588
Isn't she a doll though?
This message was edited Nov 5, 2011 12:35 PM
Eufaula, I'm so sorry. It never rains but it pours :(. I wish I could offer concrete help, but I know that's not likely.
You must be feeling so helpless and frustrated. I can only imagine how angry I would be at all that has happened. I would want to lash out at someone, but I guess that wouldn't help.
Please know my thoughts and best wishes go with you, and your Mom.
And should there be something i could do to help in some small way, please let me know.
Margo
oh geesh Eufaula. What a horrible thing to happen. I believe all hospitals are going to heck. They don't care anymore. They just want to cattle herd people through. The more they herd through the more money they make is what it seems to boil down to in my opinion. Ins. Co. are to blame. They set limits on what they will pay for each thing ex. I had blood work done. It was right at 500 dollars. My deductible wasn't met so I had the pay the bill in full which amounted to 85 dollars after the insurance cut out all they wanted to cut from the bill and that is all the hosp could charge me
I am so sorry about this and pray your mom makes a full recovery
Sounds like you should have a lawsuit to me. That is horrible! I'm so sorry this is happening to you.. I just about had to pick my chin off the keyboard I was so shocked! You poor thing.. :( I just feel terrible for you and your mom.
L_F_J that is a nice Serama. I wouldn't get just one if I could help it... She is probably too small to do much breeding, but she is really nice.
No babies? That's no good. How big do they have to be to have babies? Others have bid that little bird way up there. Guess they like her too. Not good though if she can't have babies.
She has such a sweet expression. I'm starting to see why you all like them. She reminds me of Chickapea.
Eufaula, I hope you are doing better and your mom too, and all your birds are healthy and safe. Hang in there, it'll get better.
As far as a lawsuit, yes it is possible, but most of those cases take forever and just suck the energy right out of you. In the end the lawyers get rich and the people get maybe a few dollars.
Hey Guys! Im back at work until Friday afternoon, then back down that 125 mile ride to my dads house. Mom is another 75 miles or so in Savannah hospital. She is getting better but the physical rehab is really tiring and painful for her. Daddy isnt good but very distressed when he realizes Mom isnt with him.
As for my Chickens...well thats now another painful story.....Ive had to either sell or give them away. All but three pairs of Seramas, three laying hens and roo, and my 4 Silkies, oh yes and "Wambli" Dark Brahma. As soon as I find a buyer for them they will have to go also. Im thinking about maybe keeping Little Chicopea and Calico Millie and thats all. They are small enough to go with me in a puppy travel case when I go to take care of myparents.
So to all of you everything will be fine and your prayers are seeing results. thanks guys!
Oh, I wish I could get to Wambli. I have four DB hens who are currently consorting with a Cochin...
All the best, I'll be thinking of you, wishing you an easier road to come....
Thank You Cat! Hmmmm wish I could get him to you too! Im going to google map you and see if there is any way!
I'm bawling ,Sissy, over your mama and the babies . If I had had my puter up and running , I would have known sooner . If I was still home , I could have taken the chick and gotten it to Cat .
Company at door , gotta go . Did you send me a text ? Better an email or dmail . Love , Big Sissy
Oh Eufaula so sorry to hear about your mom.What an awful thing to happen.Praying that she will be up and around soon so your dad will can have her back home again.Iknow how I would feel if I had to sell or give away my babies so sad for you.
Oh, dear! Eufaula, hope all your loved ones (human and non) stay safe, get healthy, back to normal soon! What a month you are having!