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

[Hannahnic14]

No, you are not a monster. I'd cull the roosters and send one to the state lab to determine exactly what you are dealing with. Since you are not in the business of treating sick animals (though, at times, we all deal with sick/injured farm animals) you must determine a method of euthanasia that is suitable for you. Some people shoot, some people cut off the head, some people use a killing cone, and some folks take their animal to a vet. There is nothing wrong with disliking the act of killing animal. Yes, you can desensitize yourself to the act, but always be respectful to the animal. As a kid, I lived on a reservation and I remember how the Native Americans thanked the animal for it's sacrifice before killing it. Death was quick and nothing was wasted. Since you are homesteading, you really can't afford to spend the time and effort with sick animals. You must choose your breeding stock from the best animals you have. And though some must die, find the method that suits you, and build from there. This old gal has euthanized many, many family pets over the years as a veterinary nurse, and was never afraid to shed a tear along with the owner. Nobody likes to kill (at least the sane people don't) but it is a necessary part of farm life. My advice is to do it quickly and respectfully.

We have processed some meat birds, so we are "comfortable" with putting them down. As comfortable as one can be I guess

 

[Hannahnic14]

That is downright neighborly, and right responsible of you.

I try, I try.

 

[3KillerBs]

Could you try to re-home them?

A sick animal should NEVER be sold or given to someone else. That might have been how she got into this position -- by someone being irresponsible and pushing off a sick animal onto someone who didn't know any better.

 

[Hannahnic14]

A sick animal should NEVER be sold or given to someone else. That might have been how she got into this position -- by someone being irresponsible and pushing off a sick animal onto someone who didn't know any better.

Yea I'm beginning to wonder...because the comment was made when he was sold to me "he hasn't found his crow yet so it's a little raspy"

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yea I'm beginning to wonder...because the comment was made when he was sold to me "he hasn't found his crow yet so it's a little raspy"

Maybe, maybe not - I have plenty of males on the cusp of maturity whose crow sounds a bit garbled. Its possible they didn't know. Its possible that they did.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Maybe, maybe not - I have plenty of males on the cusp of maturity whose crow sounds a bit garbled. Its possible they didn't know. Its possible that they did.

Who knows He also has lice when I brought him home. Lol

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Who knows He also has lice when I brought him home. Lol

Yeah. Never buy from that owner again. Invite them to BYC, we'll set them straight. We're "opinionated".

 

[Hannahnic14]

Yeah. Never buy from that owner again. Invite them to BYC, we'll set them straight. We're "opinionated".

Yea she's wanting one of her roosters back (he's fine) which is fine by me. I was going to trade him back for hatching eggs but I don't think so now..

 

[3KillerBs]

Yea I'm beginning to wonder...because the comment was made when he was sold to me "he hasn't found his crow yet so it's a little raspy"

Maybe, maybe not.

Cockerels *do* go through a weird-sounding stage -- like a teen boy when his voice is breaking.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Maybe, maybe not.

Cockerels *do* go through a weird-sounding stage -- like a teen boy when his voice is breaking.

True true, I have a few teenagers right now and it sounds like your strangling them