We’re a week past the solstice and the roosters are getting active. For the peace of the flock, it’s time to thin out the number of roosters. Your typical chicken farmer only raises hens, however since I have hens hatch chicks, I need a good stock of roosters so the hens can lay fertile eggs.
Roosters come with many different personalities. Some are mellow, others aggressive. Some develop spurs which curve upward, which is good for the hens. The roosters which develop spurs which point downward can injure hens when they mount them. There are many things to consider when deciding which roosters to keep and which ones to put on the dinner table.
Chicks Love Having a Mother
During these dark winter days, it’s helpful to look back and be reminded of warm, sunny days. Mother hens provide a wonderful spot for chicks taking a rest. Some huddle underneath her, others around her, and some perch on her back. Every chick deserves a mother.
Late December Notes
You never see such beautiful eggs from an industrial chicken farm.
It’s almost time to call it a day. These chickens are taking a break from a day of foraging for food. Soon they’ll be in the chicken yard, high up on their roosts, settling in for a long, winter night.
Nine Day Old Chicks
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At nine days, the chicks are already adept at scratching and preening. The great thing about having a mother, is that she is always nearby for a warm place to rest. It’s late December and hovering around 40 degrees F, but with a mother nearby, the cool weather is just fine for these lucky chicks.
Seven Day Old Chicks
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The chicks are seven days old now. The mother has brought them out to feed with the other chickens. It’s a sunny, beautiful day today and she may take them outdoors today for the first time.
Six Day Old Chicks
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When a mother hen senses danger, she’ll spread her wings and puff up, doubling the size of her appearance. She starts showing this behavior even before her chicks hatch. While she is incubating her eggs, she’ll come off the next once a day to eat and drink. A brooding hen will often puff up around other chickens as if she is protecting a brood.