Advice on culling to creating good, strong breeding stock. Am I a monster?

[ShrekDawg]

Ok, thank you. I just don't want the rest of my flock to get reinfected and then have an endless cycle going on. The rest of my birds only had a few sneezes here and there.

No problem! I totally get it! I’d honestly just cull the roosters, sadly especially since you said the problems started after they were introduced?

 

[Hannahnic14]

No problem! I totally get it! I’d honestly just cull the roosters, sadly especially since you said the problems started after they were introduced?

Yes! The 1 rooster was sick when I got him and I didn't realize it. He's been sick ever since. Just always sounds congested.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yes! The 1 rooster was sick when I got him and I didn't realize it. He's been sick ever since. Just always sounds congested.

You can cull, the most severely ill birds, & send them to a lab for testing.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

This may not be a popular subject so if you want to argue please move elsewhere We are trying to homestead and be more self sufficient and I am realizing that that doesn't leave room for sickly/weak chickens. If we want good, strong, healthy stock then we really need to cull any birds that don't live up to that standard.

I have 2 roosters that have been chronically ill. We've had alot of nasty weather and a bout with respiratory issues. All my birds have recovered nicely with the exception of these 2 roosters. We have consulted professionals and done several rounds of antibiotics and these 2 just haven't recovered. They are healthy otherwise, running around, crowing etc. I have double and triple checked my husbandry and I am doing my part. Clean coops, good quality feed, etc. They just have chronically nasty eyes and sound congested.

They are quarantined from the rest of the flock and have been for several weeks. My question is, am I a monster for deciding to cull weak birds? Or is that just a natural part of the process of creating good healthy stock. I really don't want weak genes passed down to my chicks.

Homesteading doesnt really leave room to babysit sick ones. I treat as well as possible and everyone gets a fair chance. Thanks in advance and no hate please.

I, personally think the best thing for both your flock and the 2 chronicly sick roosters is to put the roosters down. I might consider a necropsy to make sure I knew what they had, in case something needs to be done for your flock as a whole.
Congrats on becoming more self sufficient and good luck, I hope you are successful.

 

[Hayden Goseek]

Absolutely. I would cull the sick birds.
I'm not an expert on the details but animal husbandry is what brought us to the standard of living we have today. Those birds are the product of thousands of generations of selecting the best and culling the rest.
It is the responsibility we take on when we have animals and that means putting down sick or suffering animals. We feed them and protect them and they feed us but rely on us.
I would humbly suggest, putting down the sick ones and replace them with the best rooster you can get.
Sorry for rambling. I'll leave with this.
"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." Saint-Exupery
"And if you can't handle forever, then don't start. Just don't..." Maria Tumarkin

 

[Hannahnic14]

Absolutely. I would cull the sick birds.
I'm not an expert on the details but animal husbandry is what brought us to the standard of living we have today. Those birds are the product of thousands of generations of selecting the best and culling the rest.
It is the responsibility we take on when we have animals and that means putting down sick or suffering animals. We feed them and protect them and they feed us but rely on us.
I would humbly suggest, putting down the sick ones and replace them with the best rooster you can get.
Sorry for rambling. I'll leave with this.
"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." Saint-Exupery
" And if you cant handle forever, then don't start. Just don't..." Maria Tumarkin

Thank you, that helps! My husband's philosophy is, if we can't dispose of a livestock animal when it gets too far gone/chronically ill, then we shouldn't own it. I'm just an animal lover and want to do the right thing.

 

[troyer]

Also you’re not a monster. If anything, I would argue it may be worse to drag out their suffering. Although they don’t really seem to be suffering bad at the moment but still. That can’t be fun for them having those issues. I would definitely cull the roosters.

I would cull the roosters.
Continue with the ones you have, let the survivors breed. In so doing you are creating a disease resistant strain for your area.

 

[Hannahnic14]

I would cull the roosters.
Continue with the ones you have, let the survivors breed. In so doing you are creating a disease resistant strain for your area.

Thank you! I was feeling quite despaired that my flock was doomed

 

[Acre4Me]

Along with the above advice, I’d get some testing to see what illnesses are present. You’ve already consulted with professionals, so ask them to do the tests. Or, BEFORE you cull the sick rooster(s), call state necropsy lab to find out how to send in, or their recommendation. I say cull after that because there is likely a window of time for them to receive a carcass, and likely needs to be shipped/dropped off a certain way.

No, you are not a monster, this is part of livestock keeping. Otherwise, you’d be a pet owner of chickens.

 

[rayrose]

Not being negative, but why did you bring a sick rooster into your flock? The old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." certainly applies here. Hopefully, you'll learn from this experience.