[LillyF]

I am thinking of investing in a Cockerel so we can raise some chicks. Would it be advised that I let the hens sit on the eggs and do the job intended or that I use an incubator?  Also is there a better time of year to let him do his thing?    

[suziequeue]

Personally I think there is nothing nicer than seeing a hen raise her chicks. It requires much less technology and no electricity but this is a slightly less predictable route as you have to wait for a hen to go broody which depends on numerous factors beyond our control. An incubator is always ready to hatch eggs. I guess it depends on the size of operation you are planning.

We've had three clutches this year and we got: 0/7, 1/9, 7/9 (see evidence of learning from our mistakes!!)

Hens tend to go broody in the summer - from about May to August then they keep the chicks warm themselves so no requirement for heat lamps etc.

Of course - you can hatch chicks anytime in an incubator but in the winter they need heat lamps, keeping indoors etc

[LillyF]

Thankyou Suzie. 

I would rather go the natural route as well...its natural 

[suziequeue]

Our cockerel is great but this weekend I have learned about "management of the mature cockerel" which has been an eye opener - and something I need to think about in future.

The chicks are adorable. This year we have bought in fertile eggs of various breeds but I hope eventually to breed our own for eggs and meat.

[mentalmilly]

We use broody hens when we can.  Less fuss, they hatch and look after the chicks for you.  Of course you have to wait until they are broody, but we can guarantee some of ours will go down every year.  We have an incubator as well and l have hatched eggs and put the chicks under a couple of our broody hens and they adopted the chicks nicely and are doing a good job of rearing them without our help.  Our roosted died this year so we bought eggs for the broodies and the incubator.  You can at least get the breed of chickens you want this way, but just when you get a hen broody you cant find eggs for them in time.  Thats the downside.  If you have a rooster you can at least bung some of your own eggs under the hen.  I also prefer the natural way with a hen.

[Victorian Farmer]

I am thinking of investing in a Cockerel so we can raise some chicks. i dont no where you are but  i have some very nice D104 sussex cock birds wich you could have for free .You need to incubate eggs and then put chicks with the broodey hens i put 6 to 1 hen i then ring the hen if she is a good mother not all will be good mothers .The next season use the ringed hens with good breeding stock eggs and build up from that .I use 2 cock birds brothers to 8 hens if a bad winter or you loose a cock bird you have 1 left to get started in spring .You need to start putting cock birds in the pen januarey so chicks can grow in the hot wether .

[suziequeue]

With so many people just wanting hen birds for eggs, I can't imagine that it will be difficult to find good cockerels. Most of the cockerels on Preloved seem to be free or less than a tenner!

[LillyF]

Well that is very kind of you VF ! Unfortunately im in Cheshire so a bit far but I do appreciate the offer  and the information

Milly ... you have left me with another Q  . How do you know if a hen is broody? 

and Suzie I was preparing to pick up a Cockerel from Preloved and was told at the last minute he attacks toddlers.... I have a 9 month old Granddaughter so close call . My brain is like a sponge right now so I apologise for all the questions.. its all fascinating!

[Sbom]

What breed would you be looking for?

[lord flynn]

look up Cockerel Trader on Facebook-lots of different breeds all over the country. Some breeds more fiesty than others but tbh, anything that attacks should be necked for a family 'pet' IMO-aggression is said to be hereditary as well.

[LillyF]

My hens are Warrens Sbom..only 25 weeks at present . I am sure I can buy one from the local farm to be honest but may leave it until spring 

. Lord Flynn I didnt know that about them .... I know Cockerels are renowned for being feisty but I cant home something quite so murderous . Was a sussex cockerel im unaware if theyre known for their tempers and I will look on Cockerel trader thankyou   

[lilfeeb]

My cockeral Winston is usually reasonably placid until i go in their pen with my black wellies on. Then he turns into an attack-hen and goes mental. first time it happened it gave me such a fright, I tend to wear my boots now unless it is really wet, when I keep a broom close by to keep him away. he doesn't bother my OH or the kids who have different coloured wellies (Green, pink and purple) or me when I have shoes or boots on. I think maybe he has had a bad experience with black wellies in the past.

As he is a mature red partridge orpington he is rather intimidating in his attack mode.

[Rosemary]

Remember Warrens are hybrids, so if you cross them with anything (you don't get Warren cockerels) you'll just get a mixture - which might be fine for you.

The cockerels from a Warren cross are also unlikely to be much use for meat - certainly not if they take after their mothers  And you'll always get cockerels in a batch and they have to be dealt with. Not hoiked over the fence of a local smallholding  , as happened to us.

We have a Copper Black Maran and a Welsummer cockerel that are gents, a pretty nice Crested Cream Legbar and a nightmare Black Orpington (his coat is on a very shaky nail  )

[lord flynn]

my Scots Grey cockerel is lovely-comes up past my knee in height and I've never had any bother with him-my Marsh Daisy cockerels were the same. They were hand-reared and I can catch them if needs be but thats about it.
 I would be careful with toddlers around any of them tbh, maybe they'd be seen as more of an easy threat to overcome because of their height. We had a RIR one when I was a kid that was pretty nasty and eventually ended up in the pot. Its bad enough them getting to your legs, let alone a littl'uns face.

[suziequeue]

Our Maran cockerel used to give us a little nip on the back of our wellie as we were leaving the pen last year. Once time he did it, I turned round and chased him........ Showed him who the main chicken was and we treat each other with respect now.

If he ever starts up again (i.e.  forgets who the chief chicken is) I shall just chase him round and round again......