Now I've Done It

What fun! I wanted Speckled Sussex this time around, but it didn't work out. They're so pretty. I had a BCM, one of four I bought and turned out to be the only hen. I culled her, but I think she was an anomaly.

You're going to have a real nice flock.

Thanks, I hope so.

mrcman said:

Hi back at you Cats and Critters. Sounds like you've had success with the late season. I've not tried it but I suppose if it gets cold enough and with a heat lamp things would go well. We use a heat lamp in the spring with the young ones and have never had any problems.

We're up in Erie County bout 20 miles or so south of the lake.

Tony

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With the broody hen I didn't need the heat lamp, but if you where doing them without a hen you would need the heat lamp for quite sometime.

I'm in Clarion County, but I have relatives up in Erie that we visit fairly often.

thistlebloom said:

What fun! I wanted Speckled Sussex this time around, but it didn't work out. They're so pretty. I had a BCM, one of four I bought and turned out to be the only hen. I culled her, but I think she was an anomaly.

You're going to have a real nice flock.

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Thistle, what was wrong with your BCM? Was she mean?
I'm just asking because I had one in my first bunch of chicks that turned out to be a roo. He got so mean that I finally had to get rid of him. One of my SS went broody and hatched out 4 of his chicks. The 2 boys are just like their dad and will peck&twist had enough to leave a red spot - and they're only a couple of months old! As soon as they get a little bigger... they're going to freezer camp! I know that sort of behavior can be passed along so I just assumed they were aggressive because their dad was.

canesisters said:

thistlebloom said:

What fun! I wanted Speckled Sussex this time around, but it didn't work out. They're so pretty. I had a BCM, one of four I bought and turned out to be the only hen. I culled her, but I think she was an anomaly.

You're going to have a real nice flock.

Click to expand...

Thistle, what was wrong with your BCM? Was she mean?
I'm just asking because I had one in my first bunch of chicks that turned out to be a roo. He got so mean that I finally had to get rid of him. One of my SS went broody and hatched out 4 of his chicks. The 2 boys are just like their dad and will peck&twist had enough to leave a red spot - and they're only a couple of months old! As soon as they get a little bigger... they're going to freezer camp! I know that sort of behavior can be passed along so I just assumed they were aggressive because their dad was.

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Personality wise she was very grumpy. Not mean really, but she did pick on my favorite banty one time too many. She was also a miserable layer, and large, so added all up I resented the oxygen and feed she was consuming. While I was out in in the pen one day she lit out after Sweetpea and plucked a big bald spot in her noggin. I took care of the problem on the spot.

It was a shame really, I don't mean culling her, but a shame that she didn't meet my pretty low expectations. I wanted BCMs for a long time and finally bought 4 new hatchlings from a local breeder. 3 of those were roos, and it's interesting what you said about yours, because those buggers were really hard on the hens. Very mean to them, and they weren't even full grown roosters yet. In fact only one of them had just begun crowing regularly. They didn't try anything with me though. I was being generous when I said she was probably an anomaly. Being the only BCM hen I ever owned I have nothing to compare her to.

I do feel like I'm taking a chance, even with just the one BMC roo I ordered (hopefully the three females will really be females). But I think--I think--that there are enough folks around here that free range all the time, or at least have big enclosures, that selling, or giving him away, is going to be do-able. If he is docile, I wouldn't mind keeping him (maybe). I wonder if a male is around older females as he is growing up helps keep him from getting too cocky too soon? They might be more likely to put him in his place, I hope.
I plan on checking out chicken owner names and breeds at the livestock barn when the county fair rolls around, mid-September. It would be nice to have more connections.

Thats a great idea, to make connections at the County Fair. That way you can see their best stock too.

Ive never had BCMs so I cant talk about that specific breed, but if they are like practically all other chickens, breed is not all that important. Strain is. If whoever is selecting the breeding stock selects roosters for good behavior and does not allow a bad-behaving rooster to breed, after a few generations you have a flock where most of the roosters behave pretty well. If behavior is not a criteria when selecting breeding stock, who knows what you will get? If you get a bad-behaving rooster once, Id look for a different source for the next one.

Thats why I really dont trust someone breeding chickens for show unless I know them. Some do breed for behavior as well as what the judge sees. These are the ones I consider breeding heritage birds and truly preserving the breed. If all you are breeding for is what the judge sees, a lot of the heritage qualities can be missing.

I find that having mature chickens in the flock will help a young rooster learn better manners. Some hens will squat for anything in spurs, but many mature hens require the cockerel to treat them like a lady before they accept his advances. Sometimes they will slap him around themselves but a favorite tactic is to lead him to the dominant rooster who teaches Junior whos boss and who has privileges.

One of the funniest things Ive seen was a young cockerel was feeling cocky and chased a hen who ran to the dominant rooster. When the cockerel saw the rooster he kept running and swung wide under a shed. The old rooster started strutting his stuff, walking around so proud of himself. That cockerel kept going out the other side of the shed, circled around, nailed the hen, and was gone before the rooster realized what had happened.

Funny story! And good advice; thanks!

Lucky - I hope that I haven't misled you about BCM roos. I've heard of many who were very good boys.
My first flock was 6 chicks - all the same age and raised together. Hurra (the roo) was a terrible bully. Partly, I think, because it was just his personal nature. But mostly, I think, because he quickly out grew the girls and by the time hormones started doing their thing he had no reason to be anything other than a bully. The girls had never challenged him on anything - ever.
Now, I've got an EE roo now who is just starting to crow. At about 3 months old he was tossed in with a flock of adult hens who have terriorized him. So far any of his attempts to even eat near the ladies have been VERY cautious & respectful. I'm hoping that the adult hens will instill proper maners in him that will last the rest of his life.
Best of luck with your BCM. They are truly beautiful birds!!
One bit of advise - don't try to make him a pet. Let him grow up hard to catch and a little afraid of you. It will make him a more warry/watchful flock protector and may save you from any bad behavior if he DOES happen to grow up a bit of a bully.

HAY CANE!!!

You own the Corn Flakes Rooster!

That's him!