Chicken Keeping Secrets

While we’re on the subject of roosters, I thought we’d take the time to answer some quick questions you all have sent that require short answers…

“Do you have to have a rooster to get your hen to lay eggs?” ~ Dana 7 years old

Hi Dana, thanks for writing.

A hen will lay eggs with or without a rooster. If you want to hatch chicks though, you need to have a rooster.

“This may sound stupid but can you have a rooster neutered? I want a rooster but I do not want chicks. Rooster’s are beautiful and I love to hear them crow. I also want protection for my three hens.” ~ Carol

Carol, there are no stupid questions.

Trust me, if you’re asking, there are a lot of people out there wondering the same thing. (more…)

“Is there a way to limit a young rooster from crowing or is there anything that you can do to “condition or train” him from excessive crowing. He doesn’t bother me, but I live on the edge of a camp and I get some mild complaints from volunteers who sleep in nearby cabins about his night crowing. I don’t want to get rid of him and I would even spend a little money to limit or eliminate his crowing if it wouldn’t harm his health. Let me know” ~  Harris

We haven’t addressed noisy roosters in quite some time so I’m glad you wrote as this is a common question.

Roosters crow – a lot.

This is not news to those of you who have roosters but if you’re new to keeping chickens, you may be under the impression that roosters only crow at day break. Crowing to announce the coming day is only one of the times a rooster instinctively crows.

It seems that a rooster crows whenever he feels the need.

Sometimes he will announce his presence to other roosters, even up to a mile away.

It’s a territorial thing. Sometimes he is calling to his ladies when he’s feeling amorous or to warn them of a predator in the area. He’ll even let them know when food is available. It seems that roosters will also crow out of boredom. (more…)

Several of you wrote in with tips on peeling hard boiled eggs that are fresh after reading last week’s issue. Thank you all for your tips, some of them are new to me and I look forward to trying them. Here’s a few that represent the many ideas we received…

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“Hi Wendy, Do roosters go through a period of molting? I have a beautiful Blue Lace Windot rooster that has lost his tail feathers first and then lots of feathers on his head and neck. I put no-pick lotion on him. No luck. He still is losing feathers. I have examined him for mites and cannot see any. I have six Red Sexed hens and they have no problem. I have separated him from the flock until I can see that he quits losing feathers. Do you have any suggestions?” ~ Harvey Sheppard.

Hi Harvey, thanks for the question.

Yes, roosters do go through a period of molting just as hens do.

If you had said that your rooster had just lost his tail feathers, my assumption would be that he got them caught in something or that he had had an encounter with a predator. Tail feathers come out rather easily.

Because he is loosing feathers on his head and neck, I feel pretty confident that this is just a natural molt.

The possibility of mites was an excellent concern on your part as mites can indeed cause feather loss. (more…)

“We are new to keeping chickens and I have a question; is it safe for me to interact with my chickens when I am pregnant? We think we have 5 hens, none of them are crowing anyway. They are 14 weeks old and I’ve really enjoyed taking care of our little flock. We were very excited to find out that we are expecting our first child but we’re concerned about my contact with the chickens. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you,” ~ Marissa Crittenden

Marissa,

Congratulations to you and your husband on the upcoming birth of your baby.

It’s an exciting time, enjoy it and sleep as much as possible now because you’ll never get enough sleep again!

Seriously though, this is a great question.

Yes, it is safe to handle chickens while pregnant.

There are very few diseases that effect chickens that humans are also susceptible to. Those that are would present risk whether you were pregnant or not. So as not to scare anyone, these diseases are rare and should not deter anyone from enjoying their chickens. (more…)