Chooks!
#76
Re: Chooks!
OK you chooky savvy bunch - I need your advice.
We have what we thought were three chickens. Henny, Penny, and Jenny.
It turns out that one - Penny, now likes to crow. At first it was just a bit of a rubbish 'squawk-a-squaaaaaaaaak', but now it's a proper 'uh-e-ur-e-urghhhh'.
So I have 3 questions -
Number 1: Can female chickens crow?
Number 2: If yes, then will the next most dominant one start crowing if I despatch the crower?
Number 3: If no, does anyone want a cock, or if not - then what's the best way to kill and prep it for dinner next Sunday?
Yes, I realise that's 4 questions, but I never was one for counting.
Thanks!
We have what we thought were three chickens. Henny, Penny, and Jenny.
It turns out that one - Penny, now likes to crow. At first it was just a bit of a rubbish 'squawk-a-squaaaaaaaaak', but now it's a proper 'uh-e-ur-e-urghhhh'.
So I have 3 questions -
Number 1: Can female chickens crow?
Number 2: If yes, then will the next most dominant one start crowing if I despatch the crower?
Number 3: If no, does anyone want a cock, or if not - then what's the best way to kill and prep it for dinner next Sunday?
Yes, I realise that's 4 questions, but I never was one for counting.
Thanks!
#77
Re: Chooks!
oops! sounds like a cock-a-diddley-cockerell. Ring neck, remove head, pluck, clean insides out, season and roast.
#78
Re: Chooks!
Will invite the neighbours around for a roast on Sunday - I'm sure they'd appreciate the gesture as it's right by their bedroom window!
#79
Re: Chooks!
yeh sounds like it's a boy.
We kept our one, but have no near neighbours to disturb.
We kept our one, but have no near neighbours to disturb.
#81
Re: Chooks!
Actually, if there are no chaps around a hen can do a pretty good imitation of a crow.... but....you've probably got yourself a cockerel. If you don't fancy plucking just skin it and casserole. Happy eating
#82
Re: Chooks!
Hi folks. Well I played 'Andy the Hunter' on Sunday, and it was roast chook for tea. After my first feelings of guilt, it all went rather well. Tasty too!
Cheers for the help and advice, I am now cock-free.
Cheers for the help and advice, I am now cock-free.
#83
Re: Chooks!
I have to say - well done - you're a better man than me!
I can't do that with any of ours - DH could - but not me, I'm a total wimp and a huge softy - which isn't so bad when its a chook, but when you're talking a cow it's just daft!
I can't do that with any of ours - DH could - but not me, I'm a total wimp and a huge softy - which isn't so bad when its a chook, but when you're talking a cow it's just daft!
#84
Re: Chooks!
Erm... it could be that I typed too soon. Just this morning I hear ANOTHER cock-a-doodle-doo.
If it knows what's good for it, it will keep it's mouth shut over the next couple of days otherwise it'll be chicken on the menu again this weekend....
If it knows what's good for it, it will keep it's mouth shut over the next couple of days otherwise it'll be chicken on the menu again this weekend....
#85
Re: Chooks!
oh dear.
I just looked back at your pic - I take it it was the one in the middle that was a boy? I hate to say it but the other white one may be too - I think the brown one looks like a girl though ( or was that the other one crowing?!)
Rustie might know she's good at that.
I just looked back at your pic - I take it it was the one in the middle that was a boy? I hate to say it but the other white one may be too - I think the brown one looks like a girl though ( or was that the other one crowing?!)
Rustie might know she's good at that.
#86
Re: Chooks!
After a while the boys generally get bigger and more aggressive. Eventually, they grow bigger tail feathers. It depends how long you want to wait and find out.
RE sick chooks. Some get egg bound (they sometimes have a brownish discharge round the back end) and I believe castor oil works. It is best to get organised with a sick bay as chooks can be catty creatures.
RE sick chooks. Some get egg bound (they sometimes have a brownish discharge round the back end) and I believe castor oil works. It is best to get organised with a sick bay as chooks can be catty creatures.
#87
Re: Chooks!
It's really difficult to tell from the photo but i'd say the middle one was definately a boy, the one on the left is a possible but the one to the right (back) i'd say was a girl?
One way to tell is to put a piece of paper underneath the feathers at the back and see if they are pointy shaped or straight, pointy = boy!
One way to tell is to put a piece of paper underneath the feathers at the back and see if they are pointy shaped or straight, pointy = boy!
#88
Re: Chooks!
It's really difficult to tell from the photo but i'd say the middle one was definately a boy, the one on the left is a possible but the one to the right (back) i'd say was a girl?
One way to tell is to put a piece of paper underneath the feathers at the back and see if they are pointy shaped or straight, pointy = boy!
One way to tell is to put a piece of paper underneath the feathers at the back and see if they are pointy shaped or straight, pointy = boy!
#89
Re: Chooks!
Our fears have been realised. I am sad to say that cock number 2 had his neck stretched over the weekend, and is on the menu for tea tomorrow. The remaining lady is going to spend some time with the sister-in-law's chooks until spring comes along and we get a batch of layers and start again from there.
I did feel very bad for her, as she was all alone and crying out for her 'man'. She seems to have settled now though. Ah well, the joys of livestock. 2nd time lucky!
I did feel very bad for her, as she was all alone and crying out for her 'man'. She seems to have settled now though. Ah well, the joys of livestock. 2nd time lucky!
#90
Re: Chooks!
.....bump......
Meet the new girl in my husband's life
One 4 year old hen that seems to be a Barnevelder. Someone we know didn't want her anymore as there was trouble in the flock so we ended up with her somehow.
She seems healthy enough. Is eating , drinking and alert and has already laid two eggs.
Thing is, she is on her own-some so what can we do to get her some companionship ? I've read that introducing hens to each other can be a bit problematic.
We were originally thinking of buying a couple of ex-battery hens before she came along . Does anyone think this cold still be a goer.
Person at the animal feed shop suggested I put a young 6 week old pullet or two with her...but I'm not sure that's wise
Any thoughts anyone please?
Meet the new girl in my husband's life
One 4 year old hen that seems to be a Barnevelder. Someone we know didn't want her anymore as there was trouble in the flock so we ended up with her somehow.
She seems healthy enough. Is eating , drinking and alert and has already laid two eggs.
Thing is, she is on her own-some so what can we do to get her some companionship ? I've read that introducing hens to each other can be a bit problematic.
We were originally thinking of buying a couple of ex-battery hens before she came along . Does anyone think this cold still be a goer.
Person at the animal feed shop suggested I put a young 6 week old pullet or two with her...but I'm not sure that's wise
Any thoughts anyone please?
Last edited by BEVS; Sep 25th 2012 at 3:20 am.