I have to say, the hens are doing SO much better now that the roosters are no longer in the picture. It’s almost like I’m working with an entirely different flock.
The hens are calm. They don’t seem as stressed. The feathers on their heads and backs are slowly starting to grow in again. They’re actually starting to look pretty again. Less haggard. More robust. Their feed consumption has dropped considerably. My friend Becca thinks it’s because they no longer burn as many calories trying to outrun the rapey roosters. Sounds good to me!
I’m reminded of something an old farmer dude once said to me and Jake right before we got our chickens.
“Hens do so much better when there’s a rooster present; they really keep the hens in line.”
Yeesh. A dude would say that. I for one haven’t found that to be the case.
All original content © 2012 by Jessie Knadler
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My new mini-flock is doing just great without a rooster. They go back to their coop every evening all on their own, and I’ve only heard one very minor squabble so far. Glad your girls are thriving.
Roosters aren’t always like that. My roosters never hurt the hens and behaved very calmly. On the other hand, the hens would pull feathers out of other hen’s backs sometimes. The low hen in the pecking order always had a bare patch.
Some breeds have been created without keeping a close eye on behaviour. One meat breed was created where the roosters just were not able to read submissive hen body language and would become enraged and kill the hens. (I think I read that in one of Temple Grandin’s books.)
Hello!
The story of your flag cake was hilarious!
I read about your blog on the french magazine Elle (june 25th issue p92), in an article titled “the green feminist go back in the house”.
I actually live in Tokyo but I’m from a very small town of 5000 people in the south of France…I strongly believe that whatever the life choice we make, our roots/ origins are deeply anchored and prevail!
Your description of the hens’ recovered calm and serenity after the roosters’ disappearence made me think of a recently divorced friend of mine… I guess sometimes girls are better on their own!
Unfortunately, that old timer is probably right. When I don’t have a rooster (usually due to predator problems), one of the larger Rhode Island Reds stops laying and acts like a rooster – even so far as mounting the other hens, breaking up fights and doing that cute little “look, a juicy bug” clucking that roos do to get the hens to come closer so they can grab them and do the nasty. If you only have 1 rooster you shouldn’t have such a problem with the girls being harassed. Keep your eye out for a gentle rooster (I have found Americaunas to be pretty gentle if there isn’t alot of other male competition) or just keep trying with groups of them and butcher all but one. Or just get more girls so the girl/boy ratio is higher.
Bet you didn’t think you’d have to deal with the politics of chix, didya?
Kitty
Thanks, Kitty!