Part 0800.0005

[CatieB]

Hello I am about to order a cube and will then decide what birds to get........... I'd be greatful for any advice

 

We live in a very rural location with no neighbours so my husband would like to get a cockerel as well as hens but after reading various threads on here I don't know if there is any advantage to it. I've seen about possible harm to the girls and I wouldn't like to use a fertilised egg - although would I know if they were collected quickly? (sorry if thats a really basic question). Would it make the girls more broody or does that happen anyway?

 

And starting from the beginning what is the best number birds to start with if there is any such thing. Would it be three plus a cockerel or three including.. is it just a personal thing?

 

I can see further down our road that people allow their chickens to free range all day so would I just be naive to let mine when I am out. They have not had fox problems.

 

Sorry for such basic questions is there a good beginners guide? Thanks in advance

[chicken bark]

I have very little experience but as I understand it cockerels can come in handy to keep a flock in check. Basically the cockerel is head chicken so you don't have to be. They don't have to be used just to breed from.

 

If you decide to get a cockerel you may need to think about getting a few hens so he can spread his love around as it were. If you only get a couple of hens they will be very worn out.

If you decide not to get a cockerel then 3 is a good number to start with but it all depends on how many eggs you want. Be prepared for wanting more very quickly it is very addictive.

 

It is rural where I live and I can see people who let their's free range all day. Personally I don't fancy taking the risk with a fox and so have mine behind some electric fencing so they can have a large area to range in and I can feel happy they are safe. (touch wood).

 

This is just my opinion but I hope it is of some use to you.

[CatieB]

Thank you, that is helpful. The only trouble is if I don't let them out they will only have the space of the cube run as we don't personally have enough land to put a larger run on but are surrounded by fields for grazing that any birds would love and be allowed to use!

 

Do you have any advice on how many girls would be ok for one cockerel? Is 3 too few and is it correct that I'd just need to collect the eggs quickly?

 

My DH is worried I'm already obsessed and we haven't even got them yet...... still hoping to find a cube second hand so looking continually... can you not hear him "are you on that computer again????"

 

Thanks again

[Redwing]

If you dont plan to breed from your chooks I wouldnt get a cockerel

 

They are wonderful and add a different dimension to a flock and do keep the girls in check

 

But..

 

They also harrass the girls to the point where the girls can lose weight and feathers

 

I am getting to the point where if some of my cockerels cant play nice they will be put in a separate house and run and only introduced back to the girls for short periods of time which is fine for the breeding season but no life long term

 

A couple are real gents and cause me no problem but they are the minority

 

Its a lovely idea but in reality isnt always so nice

 

You'll not notice fertilised eggs from normal eggs as long as they are collected daily sol no hen can sit on them too long

[Egluntyne]

Cockerels can also be rather aggressive, especially when they enter their second year. Not always easy to handle and sometimes downright dangerous.

 

If you don't intend to breed, I wouldn't bother, at least until you are more experienced.