.

[ChickensAreSweet]

.

 

[bburn]

I understand because out of 29 chickens there were only 10 hens (STILL holding out on the cochin....he/she)

Just recently I had to make a decision because of the fighting and the agression towards my hens. (I expect some but not to that extent) Then I put the five worst offenders in the chicken tractor for two days till I could get something done. One more bad mistake on my part. They just beat the heck out of each other and really picked on one guy till I thought they had killed him. At that point I no longer felt bad about what I was about to do. All the RIR's are just about gone. Two left of 9 in separate pens along with another roo in the tractor, one more from the pen that are being rehomed today or tomorrow. Am GIVING these guys away because we processed 7 for the freezer. I don't have a problem with eating them....it was just too much at once to deal with.

This was all my fault and I feel responsible....but I am trying to do the responsible thing. My husband is out of town working and it was left up to me. The four I sold at the chicken swap I had no doubt where they were going but after the fighting I was just glad I did not have to go through any more of that.

There will still be four roo's in the pen and coop. I still have some more decisions to make but now I will have enough pens to move them to should I need to. And those my husband will have to make a decision on.

That 'pet' feeling was gone for me for the ones that I have sold, processed and rehomed. All that I have left I am still attached to and enjoy and look forward to watching them grow. But I have learned many lessons here....not the least of which is KNOW what you are getting and be prepared to do what needs to be done. Nothing worse than watching your 'pets' beat each other up knowing it is natural for them with the age and hormones raging.

Now for some eggs. Not to hatch even for a while.....just to eat.

 

[Turner]

For those that want to keep their extra roo's rather than send them to the pot there is always caponizing - castration. You need to find a vet or someone experienced in the surgery. Look online. Have found a small animal vet or two that will do the surgery - they might need the book that shows the correct way of doing this.
Good Luck!

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

This is such a difficult thing for anyone who raises chickens. I decided once I got started that if anyone was going to eat my chickens it needed to be my family. I decided I wanted to be the person responsible for the beginning all the way to the end.

Of course, I'm raising so many chickens now that it is impossible to eat all the chickens we don't keep so I've gotten a family involved who processes the chickens for poor families. Their church gives these birds out. Most of the families are destitute because they are not legal immigrants. I like the idea of children getting a good meal out of my extras.

There are some basic ways to make this easier on you and your chickens. First, chickens are designed to be less stressed at night. So, we do our processing when they can't see what is happening. MUCh easier on the chicken over all! Also, they live in their environment until the very end. I think this is much more like a predator would do in the wild but even more humane.

Keep your chin up and keep in mind that you can be in charge of the process by just getting to know your community. In the end, you can't keep that many roosters. They WILL kill each other if you do and that is worse I think.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I do know your feelings and appreciate that you care! It's so hard...I grow attached to all of them to some extent...although I am trying to not do that so much anymore.

 

[Cetawin]

Forgive yourself and move forward. Extra roos always present a problem because they are hard to re-home in any large number.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

.

 

[dawg53]

ChickensAreSweet....You have a soft heart....I hope you hang around here on this site for a very long time!