Citing her own experiences, Jennifer Sartell shares ways to deal with the likelihood of more than one rooster as Easter chicks mature. Reminding us that chickens will be chickens and there is no hard and fast rule, she offers ways to keep the boys happy without having to get rid of the extra roosters. . . . if you’re keeping roosters, have options handy.” Source: Backyard … [Read more...]
Search Results for: roosters
12 fascinating facts about roosters
Pam Freeman shares interesting facts about roosters. Even chicken enthusiasts may not know: Rooster reproduction is driven by the sun Roosters are not always in charge, but do keep order among the hens You can have more than one rooster Source: Backyard Poultry, May 31, 2022. Link. A rooster is not needed to have chicken eggs. Hens will lay eggs regardless of … [Read more...]
Breeding ratios for chickens and ducks
Now that Easter chicks and ducklings are growing up, backyard poultry keepers need to know how many roosters or drakes to keep for their flocks to thrive. Doug Ottinger shares the most effective ratios in this article: For chickens use 1 to 2 roosters per 10 hens For ducks use 1 drake per 5 hens Source: Backyard Poultry, May 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Forget a rooster rescue, create a bachelor pad instead
Backyard poultry raisers often find themselves with too many roosters. The ideal ratio of roosters to hens is one rooster to 10 hens. Too many roosters can create havoc in a flock. Chris Thompson shares alternatives to rooster culling, rehoming or relinquishing excess roosters to a rescue. He writes about separate housing for roosters noting sequestering birds in a bachelor … [Read more...]
How eggs get their color
Easter egg coloring is still popular. Coloring can be done a variety of ways including choosing different breeds of chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 4, 2021. Link. Also see: Do hens need roosters to lay eggs? Hobby Farms, March 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Rooster talk. Vocalizations have meaning.
Dispelling the myth that roosters only crow in the morning, Ana Hotaling explains the complexity of rooster vocalizations. They differ from the morning cock-a-doodle-doos, when claiming territories or when it’s chow-time crow. They let out high-pitched shrieks when danger is perceived and crow when its time for bed too. Source: Hobby Farms, September 29, 2021. Link. Often … [Read more...]
Caring for molting chickens
Molting starts with the head and works its way down to the tailfeathers, says Marissa King. During a molt, the flock is working hard making sure new feathers will offer just as much warmth and protection as old ones. She offers some tricks to help a flock’s molt go smoothly. Molting can be a very painful and stressful time for your chickens.” Source: Hobby Farms, September … [Read more...]
First aid important to treat chicken and livestock eye problems
Commercial content with support from Vetericyn When our chickens and livestock get an eye injury, or any type of wound, Janet Garman grabs the first aid box. Every farm and home should have supplies ready when an injury happens. She shares a list of items for a first aid kit on the farm or acreage. In no way will first aid on the farm replace solid veterinary care for … [Read more...]
Tame aggressive rooster behavior
Roosters can challenge chicken raisers. Beyond the crowing at odd hours, there’s the normal dominance behavior that translates to “rooster attack” for us humans. Beaks, flopping wings and spurs may be used when a rooster sees a person as an intruder. To a rooster, one who runs away, walks away, or hides is the loser. These behaviors are acts of surrender to him. Teaching … [Read more...]
Hilarious chicken questions; or not
These questions make it easy to see that most folks are generations away from on-farm poultry experiences. On the one hand, they are amusing; on the other, disturbing at best. Animal health pros have a long way to go to educate people about the animals in our food chains. Easter is Sunday April 1, 2018. Before the eggs hatch and the chicks get delivered to the local farm … [Read more...]