I've done a massive U turn!

[mr darcy]

and again but I've decided NOT to have the cockerell afer all. Oh dear hope friend won't be fed up but my daughter is just NOT into it at all, everyone is settled, birds and kids alike, three eggs a day, enough space for them to peck around..am I being silly? I don't even want more hens!!!!!

[Alison]

Being content with what you have is a very good place to be. You can always get one in the future if you wanted but you should never get animals / livestock unless you are sure so you have made the right decision.

[Hilary B]

Spot on Alison.
You don't NEED a cockerel unless you are hoping for hatching eggs, and while some of the hazards MAY be reduced by him being there, the difference is marginal (and far from certain), and the risks of him being troublesome are unpredictable.

[Nicos]

If you're not sure- you have 2 choices- borrow him for about a week ( or an hour) and see what you think- or just leave well alone for now.
Personally I'd go for the second option - don't get him just to keep your friend happy

[Glutton4...]

Things sound fine as they are to me. If the Hens and the Kids and you are all happy, why change?

Me, I've always said I'm never having a Cockerel.

He arrives on sunday...

[motherhen]

Don't do it!! if the hens are happy and are laying and you don't want them to go broody and hatch, why would you want to

They can really upset the applecart, so I would leave well alone.

[Glutton4...]

When I was first offered him, I said 'No.' But, the owner has said he will take him back if it doesn't work out, so I thought I'd see. I'm trying to cure my fear of Cockerels by having a youngster, and taking it from there. I'd also like to raise some birds for the table in the future.

[Suechooks]

Good decision Mr D. If you decide later you need/want a cockerel and more hens then you can get them but if everyone's ok as you are why upset the apple cart?

[Nicos]

I've done a Uturn about rehoming old gals and decided to get eggs instead. That way I know my other 9 will accept them as new chicks...just got worried about fighting/bullying/introduction of pests/diseases.
Nothing wrong with a change of mind!

[motherhen]

If you are only taking on a cockbird to raise birds for meat, it will depend on the breed of the birds as to how successful that would be, rather than give yourself a headache, go for Ross/Cobbs at a day old, they are fantastic birds for meat easy to do, the more natural route would be Light Sussex or Maran but that sort of bird is going to cost a lot more.

[mr darcy]

no meat birds here as we're veggie (not me says OH but he wouldn't want to raise meat birds!) so I guess we'll let it be for the time being,my chickeny freind wasn't cross either so that makes me feel alot better

[Glutton4...]

no meat birds here as we're veggie (not me says OH but he wouldn't want to raise meat birds!) so I guess we'll let it be for the time being,my chickeny freind wasn't cross either so that makes me feel alot better

Oh that's good news.

Stupidly, I assumed you were a fella Mr. Darcy!

[mr darcy]

Praps I should change my name,specially as my namesake has now gone awandering but yes i am a Mrs Darcy really, but anyway I might have been a man with a man partner! no discrimnation now please

[Glutton4...]

Praps I should change my name,specially as my namesake has now gone awandering but yes i am a Mrs Darcy really, but anyway I might have been a man with a man partner! no discrimnation now please

No discrimination here! I know most of us are him/her couples, we've a few her/her couples on the Vine, but I don't know of any him/him couples, but that doesn't mean that we don't have any!

People often think I'm a bloke too!

[mr darcy]

No discrimination here! I know most of us are him/her couples, we've a few her/her couples on the Vine, but I don't know of any him/him couples, but that doesn't mean that we don't have any!

People often think I'm a bloke too!

That's coz 'glutton' is a bloke thing!!