Advise, Please..

[RWise]

I find it is hard to sale or give away cockerels/roosters, and when I can I dont ask what they are doing with them. I am sure at least 1 rooster went to the fights (yes it is illegal here).
Earlier this year I did manage to rehome 2 roosters, I posted them here in the free rehoming section as I got no hits on CL. (hope was to find a home and not a pot)
I too have some gorgeous guys that I hate culling, one cannot keep them all, I picked 1 to grow out (from 3 hatches this year).

 

[HeyHo]

I have also had luck on FB, posting on a local homesteaders group. Found a family looking for my particular breed of roo as a new flock rooster in their operation selling chicks and eggs. It definitely is one of the hard parts of having chickens.

 

[aart]

She only survived because the weasel was beaten off her and then pop goes the weasel. I like the food thoughts. Thank you for that. So, any successful rehab info?

I am so sorry! I’m a newbie with forums. I haven’t figured the posting thing out yet. It was meant for info from a question I posted earlier in Injuries.

Welcome to BYC!
It can be confusing at first.
I see you found your other thread.

 

[Melky]

I am new to raising chickens, but I absolutely love the ones I have! Unfortunately, I have ended up with 3 roosters to my 5 hens. I have been trying to find the roosters homes that will not kill them. I'm finding out no one wants roosters. This breaks my heart. Any suggestions? These are my boys..View attachment 1564168 View attachment 1564169 View attachment 1564170

Try posting in rehoming section here on BYC, advertise through Facebook, Craigslist, or local newspaper.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/

 

[bobbi-j]

I usually have sucess selling cockerels, people usually just like to have them for breeding or just to keep in their flock. One person said they wanted beautiful chickens like ornaments walking around her yard when she bought a few of my cockerels. Is it harder selling chickens in your area? I don't know why people would buy roosters just to cull for meat. I hear easter eggers and leghorns have a poor amount of meat on them.

But they make great bone broth!

 

[Morrigan]

It's a matter of math. How many chicken keepers want to, or can, keep roosters? 20% maybe. Then those that do usually have one rooster, for every 6 to 20 hens. There simply are not enough forever homes for roosters. It's a shame.

Some people, through diligence and patience, do find good homes, so it can be done. You might try a flyer on a local community board or feed store. If you charge $10 or $20, you are going weed out buyers interested in a free dinner, but it may take some time to find a buyer.

Since I hatch every year, I resolved long ago to butcher and eat the extra cockerels. It's not a pleasant job, but at least I know the boys had a very quality life, followed by a very quick death. Until the last minute, their lives were normal and stress free. The meat doesn't go to waste. Basically, I don't want to subject the birds to a traumatic car ride to some unknown place, where they were most likely going to be killed and eaten anyway.

Maybe I'm too cynical, but I'm a little suspicious of someone who claims to want multiple roosters as yard art.

 

[bobbi-j]

It's a matter of math. How many chicken keepers want to, or can, keep roosters? 20% maybe. Then those that do usually have one rooster, for every 6 to 20 hens. There simply are not enough forever homes for roosters. It's a shame.

Some people, through diligence and patience, do find good homes, so it can be done. You might try a flyer on a local community board or feed store. If you charge $10 or $20, you are going weed out buyers interested in a free dinner, but it may take some time to find a buyer.

Since I hatch every year, I resolved long ago to butcher and eat the extra cockerels. It's not a pleasant job, but at least I know the boys had a very quality life, followed by a very quick death. Until then last minute, their lives were normal and stress free. The meat doesn't go to waste. Basically, I don't want to subject the birds to a traumatic car ride to some unknown place, where they were most likely going to be killed and eaten anyway.

Maybe I'm too cynical, but I'm a little suspicious of someone who claims to want multiple roosters as yard art.

My thoughts exactly. Added to the fact that I have put in the time, effort and money to raise those cockerels. Why would I want to give them away after investing all of that? I actually buy straight run and hatch eggs hoping for cockerels to butcher.

 

[Saaniya]

I am new to raising chickens, but I absolutely love the ones I have! Unfortunately, I have ended up with 3 roosters to my 5 hens. I have been trying to find the roosters homes that will not kill them. I'm finding out no one wants roosters. This breaks my heart. Any suggestions? These are my boys..View attachment 1564168 View attachment 1564169 View attachment 1564170

If I was near u I'll take them I love roosters don't know why ppl hate them

 

[bobbi-j]

If I was near u I'll take them I love roosters don't know why ppl hate them

People don't necessarily hate them. But not everyone has the room or resources to keep several roosters around. It costs money to feed them, and too many of them stress the hens. I love roosters. Love having them around. It's just not practical for me to keep every one that I hatch or grow out. Why would I buy mushy, tasteless chicken from the grocery store when I have good, flavorful chicken running around my yard? They live a good life up until that last moment, then it's over in a second.

 

[coach723]

If I was near u I'll take them I love roosters don't know why ppl hate them

I also don't hate them. I actually get pretty attached to some of them, it's often harder for me when I lose a good roo, they can be very special in their own way. It's just not possible to keep them all. If it were, I would be over run!