He was a later hatch and is still not quite full grown, the other rooster. There are 4 Silkie roosters, one white Chantecler and one Ameraucana roosters. The Ameraucana was ordered from Ontario to bring some new blood to the flock. The Chantecler is the original one that the flock started with. Last year's Ameraucana was put with the white Chanteclers and the offspring are beautiful, hardy Chantacaunas that lay various shades of blue green eggs. The eggs are medium to large size and are really just starting in production due to the cold weather. Some farms who acquired the chicks from me have reported copious amounts of eggs from the pullets now, but they have nice warm insulated coops with additional light. The chickens on the Fat Ewe Farm are raised the old fashioned way, given a good insulated coop, but no additional heat or light, hence the egg production is non existent until the days start to lengthen. Due to the cold temperatures, I usually find 3 or 4 frozen eggs by the time I collect them the first time.
Back to this rooster. He is an Ameraucana cross. HIs comb is a pea comb as the Ameraucanas have, but he does not have the blue feet. He knows he should avoid the two main roosters and has devised ways to breed the hens without the scrutiny of the roosters. So, today he flew up to the loft opening of the old barn and surveyed the pen. Most of the chickens have flight capabilities and can at least fly over a fence, but this rooster and some of the other birds can fly much further and higher. He was perched up there looking down and waiting, waiting for his opportunity to feed and maybe fit in a breeding or two of some close hens until the roosters chased him out. Yet, he sleeps in the coop with the Chantecler rooster and is fine. I imagine the two of them do not talk much. I do not mind if he breeds some of the hens. He also waits in the little ram and goat pen, next door, and when the hens fly over to inspect and scratch throught the hay, he is ready for them, does his little rooster dance and pounces. They squawk and have not accepted him. I have read that a hen can dismiss sperm from a mating she did not like. I will have to research that to see if there is truth in it.
In the meantime, the other rooster is quite enjoying his life, plotting his next conquest from his throne above. Smart dude, he is.
Back to this rooster. He is an Ameraucana cross. HIs comb is a pea comb as the Ameraucanas have, but he does not have the blue feet. He knows he should avoid the two main roosters and has devised ways to breed the hens without the scrutiny of the roosters. So, today he flew up to the loft opening of the old barn and surveyed the pen. Most of the chickens have flight capabilities and can at least fly over a fence, but this rooster and some of the other birds can fly much further and higher. He was perched up there looking down and waiting, waiting for his opportunity to feed and maybe fit in a breeding or two of some close hens until the roosters chased him out. Yet, he sleeps in the coop with the Chantecler rooster and is fine. I imagine the two of them do not talk much. I do not mind if he breeds some of the hens. He also waits in the little ram and goat pen, next door, and when the hens fly over to inspect and scratch throught the hay, he is ready for them, does his little rooster dance and pounces. They squawk and have not accepted him. I have read that a hen can dismiss sperm from a mating she did not like. I will have to research that to see if there is truth in it.
In the meantime, the other rooster is quite enjoying his life, plotting his next conquest from his throne above. Smart dude, he is.
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