Neutering Roosters - Page 3

There are no guarantees about anything.  Your roo could be a lapdog at 16 weeks and very aggressive at 2 years old or still be a lapdog.  It will depend on the individual.

The only caveat I'd add about Craigslist is to be certain (as much as you can) that the buyer isn't buying your dear rooster for illegal fighting activities (something I personally think should be declared a felony!).  I have some Ameraucana chicks, three of them (sold as pullets - the feed store told me that the breeder has around a 98% accuracy in sexing the day olds).  They are a month old now and I keep looking at them hoping that somehow I have all future hens.  Although a limited number of chickens are allowed in the city I live, a crowing rooster would really be a deal breaker, I suspect, for my neighbors - and I'm doing my best to keep peace with the neighbors.

You got a deal on the neuter on the buck rat- here we usually spay the females (I keep a boy colony myself) because of their horrible chances at mammary tumors. Google: The Rat Guide its the medical rat resource, 10 years of collective research...

OT:

You need to contact the rescue and see if they have any recommendations too- they might have good ideas.

I have a fully mature Silver-laced Wyandotte rooster, 19 months old.  Handsome guy.    He's quite aggressive towards me even though he was raised from 2 days old and spoiled rotten...along with the hens.   There's only him and 4 hens. 

Is it too late to get him neutered?  If not, will it alter his protectiveness towards the hens insofar as alerting for 'critters' nearby or eagles or hawks overhead?

Thank you for any info you can provide.  ♥

You are a responsible owner, and I don't understand all the negatives replies either.

Who cares, this subject just might make people uncomfortable because they know nothing of it.  We just rescued two roosters from death because of aggressive behavior.

They shouldn't have to lose their lives because of their natural behaviors.  Geez.

We will neuter our roosters, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Oh yes -

the $ 30 to $ 40 per bird - a lot of money?  Geez, did you people just crawl out of a cave?

I'm sorry, that is NOT a lot of money to bring peace to a situation.  I'm just glad I'm not a rooster in search of a home from these people.  Best of luck to you with the altering of your roosters.  You are a great pet owner.

I am with you!  I think you are being an extremely responsible pet owner.  I am experiencing the same sort of problem.  I ended up with a rooster even though I very clearly ordered hens from the hatchery.  He is beautiful (my profile picture), but he is really doing a number on the hens.  I ordered some saddles for them out of desperation and am hoping like crazy that will be the solution.  Many people have offered to kill him, but no one has offered to give him a home.  So, I have been exploring the idea of neutering him.  I don't know if it is a possibility or if it will even fix the problem, but I certainly want to make sure I try everything possible to keep him while also protecting the rest of the flock.  Worst case scenario, I will segregate him. Hey, I eat chicken and beef no problem, but I absolutely DO NOT want to watch my food being killed or eat my pet.  Call me a hypocrite, but it ain't happenin'.

I am interested in this, too.  If I am keeping chickens as pets (which I am, with the benefit of eggs!), then the $30-40 is very reasonable. I would only be interested in this is it would stop aggressive behaviour and crowing. If it doesn't fix that, then my probable 3 baby roosters I have right now will have to find new homes.  I live in a neighborhood and they would NOT dig a roo crowing at 5 a.m.  I am getting attached to these cute little guys/gals, and if it were possible for me to keep them without major, invasive surgery, I would like to. I have a feeling that this convo is somewhere along the lines of declawing a cat, or docking a dog's tail, neither of which I would do, but I suspect it's controvertial...

i have a friend that caponizes hers, under a local numbing gel, they get along fine afterwords- she is here on byc, http://www.backyardchickens.com/u/34274/poco-pollo , she might be able to give you more info- they end up being very nurturing and gentle...

I'm wondering too....lots of opinions in this thread about should you or shouldn't you but none with real experience living with neutered roosters.

Are there members here who have done it and what was the result re: behavior; aggression to humans, still jumping the girls?

thank you