Saturday, March 5, 2011

Randy Rooster...

Things have seemed a little Topsy turvy in the chicken coop the last few days, so finding an egg laid in a carefully made nest in the top of the hay bale I store in the corner of the chicken pen really was no surprise...

The last 2 days we have had to separate poor little Leo the speckled hen and keep her in the chicken pen all day...We are not sure why Bravo just can't get enough of her, but now she is starting to show signs of stress and even losing weight and feathers...Oh don't get me wrong, he "takes care" of the other girls too, but he definitely has a thing for Leo, which is a shame because she is a much smaller hen than the rest...I realized this was becoming a serious problem when she started to go into hiding during the day so to get away from him.

I hate to have to get rid of him because he was our first "chicken". He may be pretty but he does not lay eggs and if it comes down to a choice between him and one of the girls...ESPECIALLY one of my best layers and the friendliest hen (she will let Lil Sara pet her while she eats right out of her hand) sadly for him the choice is simple.

I have asked around to see if we can find him a new home...He would make a pretty good pet rooster as he is not aggressive to people and is super pretty...or maybe in a flock of larger hens he would be great since he is so dang randy...

In the mean time Hubby spent today putting a fence down the center of the chicken pen and creating Leo her own space. I will try and feed her up some to get her back in condition, I also know she is starting to get broody, so have saved her 6 eggs to put under her once her physical condition improves...

2 comments:

Homesteading and Gardening said...

Aww, poor Leo :( We've had that happen to but have been able to make other arrangements in the yard.. but if it ever came down to it, it would always be the hen we chose too!

On Crooked Creek said...

Kelsie,
I am a "city girl". . .don't know a thing about chicken characteristics. I'd say "Randy Rooster" has a bad case of Spring Fever. Cut him some slack for awhile. In the meantime, separation seems to me to be a good decision! I'd like to know how this pans out. Always wanting to learn something "new" everyday!
Keep me posted. Sorry that you're having fowl problems!
Fondly,
Pat