2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[ChickenBruce]

Greetings fellow chicken-botherers.

I am the contented carer of 3 'standard hens; an Amber Star, a Bluebelle and a Black Rock. All 3 well settled and laying nicely, thannuverramuch.

 

I recently 'helped out' a friend, who had a surplus of bantam chicks and acquired a pair; one Pekin and one Pekin-Plymouth cross. I'd intended to have two hens, but the little cross is definitely a little cock, as evidenced by his behaviour, increasing red facial features and his morning crowing. Now, whilst I'm prepared to constantly remove any eggs from my little Pekin, I don't really want to have to change my egg-gathering routine for my larger hens.

 

So...eggsperts...

 

1 - Will my single Pekin hen cope well enough with the attentions of the small cockerel, or should I acquire at least another?

2 - Will the little fella 'bother' my 3, much, much larger ladies?

 

I'm hoping that, as the Big 3 have a well established pecking order, the little one wouldn't be able to dominate, but I really don't want to be faced with them going all broody on me.

I'm also hoping to be able to keep him, as he's obviously not pot-worthy and he's too much of a character to just 'cull'.

[CallyChook]

I am no expert, but if it were me, with them being pekins (and all the pekins I have met have been huge characters and bold as brass) I'd risk mixing all five together? under supervision of course, and hey if things dont work out, then you already have the arrangement set up to put the two pekins back seperate again. The three big ones shouldnt just go broody because of mixing in one cockerel, and you don't have notoriously broody breeds either. I would think the benefit of having four ladies to your gentleman there would be better than keeping the two pekins together, as otherwise I would expect that your young man will really bother the lady alone with him.

 

I'm no expert though, just my two pennies worth there

[Patricia W]

Astw has a pekin cockerel living happily with big hens. He has his own wives too I think though

 

Tricia

[beach chick]

we had a silkie cockerel with 2 silkie wives and 5 other 'big girls' - up to Sussex size. no problem at all!! they all adored him, and he was very happy. sadly we had to rehome him as the 3am wake-up calls were too much for neighbours and DH, but he was gorgeous and a real gentleman. he is now a Daddy many times over in his new home, bless him.

[ChickenBruce]

Thank you for those replies...they've been helpful.

I'm not sure if a 'happy' chap signifies that he has carnal access to all of the ladies or not.

The pressure is now on from SWMBO to acquire another Pekin hen, to take some of the pressure off Daisy.

 

I dunno...once upon a time, we were to have just 3 Black Rock.

Now, it appears, we're into an assorted flock.

 

Regards,

Bruce