[Nails]

Hi
I have been told that i can mix all my cock birds over winter, as long as there are no hens in with them, and they will not fight! Is this true? This is my first year with Chickens and am trying to find the easiest way to keep them over winter, i have various breeds and was wondering if this would be ok? If not they all have their own houses and runs.

[Roughlee Handled]

Hi Donna
Firstly can you tell me about the cockerels.
Age
Breed and if they have been brought up together?
How are they separated now?
Are they pet or for the pot.


On another note
I noticed in your earlyer posts you mentioned that you only feed your chickens in the morning.

Hi we let ours out at 06.30-7.00 and put them to bed about 7-8 but as the nights draw in thats getting earlier, we now feed them in the morning.

I am not trying to teach you to suck eggs but chickens must have access to feed all day long and if you are feeding them layers then they will not get fat.  They are not like dogs or cats and do not have a feed. Chickens Graze all day.

[Nails]

Hi roughly
All cock birds are separated with there own breeds, ie buff orp hens with cock bird, etc,
i have 3 RIR cocks , and 3 RIR hens(All brought as chicks so didn't know the sex of them when i got them) they are all the same age POL.
1 buff Orp cock approx 18-24mths he runs with our layers.
Next to him in a separate run i have 1 Black orp cock and 2 hens about same age approx 2yrs.
1 Buff orp cock and hen.
The pure breeds are hopefully to breed from.
the layers are all ex batts, from which i get my eggs.
We put corn and layers down for them in the morning which is in a big trough, its there all day for them to help themselves, they are all on grass as well,and under cover, they also get all our veg etc.
They also get treats as in corn on the cob.
None are for the pot.

[Roughlee Handled]

sorry for being dim but why would you want to take them away from there hens?

[GrannieAnnie]

I think some people like to give their hens a rest from their men's attentions over the winter Roughlee!  

I was wondering the same thing actually, as this is also my first year with breeding trios, and the Exchequer leghorns and the Araucanas are getting a bit rough with their girls at the moment!

Also Nails, I think you have too many RIR cockerels to hens,  you need another 6 hens AT LEAST!  or the poor things will die of exhaustion! 

[Roughlee Handled]

Oh Ok Well my two Cockerels are keeping themselves to themselves (they all run together 13 in total).  I am going to split them to breed next year.

[Nails]

I know Grannie, i am planning on getting rid of 2 of them, (trouble was when i brought them they were young and they all looked the same!!!!!)and your right i wanted to give the girls a rest from the boys over winter. I have young RIR but they are to young to go in with the others at the mo.

[GrannieAnnie]

Whereabouts are you Nails?  If you couldn't re-home your 2 RIR cockerels, I know someone who wants a couple and I've only got one spare at the moment.

[Nails]

I'm in somerset Grannie, where are you?

[Nails]

Grannie, just had a thought, my sister in law will be coming down this way in a couple of weeks, i could ask her if she minds taking them back to lincs but someone would have to pick them up from her. they live in Cherry willingham.

[woodside farm]

If it helps, I never seperate my Cockerels and Hens over the winter, and they have always been fine.

Michelle xx