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Stupid newbie question: why is it bad to take your roosters to The Stock Shop (which I assume is a feed store)?
Not BAD, but I have several reasons for having reservations.
In general: I do not sell roosters (or any live birds for that matter). I have had some NASTY diseases come through and kill big chunks of my flock. Last Aug-Oct, I lost ~50 birds; all of my next generation. Since chickens are often "carriers" once they get better, even quarantining birds can be pointless. I usually process all roosters, and will only give live birds to certain flocks- usually ones I have mixed birds with before. USUALLY, I have a closed flock--but occasionally will bring birds in. Almost never out.
(chicks under a week are differnt, since they are usually kept in the house)
HOWERVER- The roos I took had been vaccinated for EVERYTHING under the sun, were all healthy, were lice free, and been in a seperate grow-out pen functioning as a bachelor pad since having been moved from the brooder.
Also, not all feed stores are created equal. A few of us have had issues before. The Stock Shop (90% of time) has been pretty solid in how they maintain their animals. Other feed stores don't turn over roos fast enough, put them in teeny weeny cages, charge too much and never sell them, have picking and disease issues, etc.
ETA: IN SHORT-- I feel that "dumping" birds at the feed store is irresponsible, especially if I MARGINALLY suspect they have been exposed to any diseases. I think it is my responsibility as the birds' owner to protect other BY chicken owners from possible contamination, if at all possible.
It also makes me uncomfortable, as I do not know what fate will befall them. That is: I don't know if they will be abused, purchased for fighting, neglected, etc. I would much rather process my roos then possibly leave them open to neglect or mistreatment. When I process my birds, I know they have been spoiled rotten lap roosters from hatch until that last kiss goodbye.
Happy Food!
That was so well said Laree. As you know, I feel the same way when it comes to roos and feed stores, but I buy my feed at the Feed Barn up north and quite often see caged birds with repiratory illnesses and knew I couldn't drop off my roo there and as sad as I was, I asked your hubby to process my roo. I was really appreciative of it. Still something I need/want to learn if I am going to continue to hatch out chicks, feel like I need to be responsible for those roos. Sort of like Bob Barker saying,"Control the pet population. Have you pets spayed or neutered." Control the roo population!
Stupid newbie question: why is it bad to take your roosters to The Stock Shop (which I assume is a feed store)?
Not BAD, but I have several reasons for having reservations.
In general: I do not sell roosters (or any live birds for that matter). I have had some NASTY diseases come through and kill big chunks of my flock. Last Aug-Oct, I lost ~50 birds; all of my next generation. Since chickens are often "carriers" once they get better, even quarantining birds can be pointless. I usually process all roosters, and will only give live birds to certain flocks- usually ones I have mixed birds with before. USUALLY, I have a closed flock--but occasionally will bring birds in. Almost never out.
(chicks under a week are differnt, since they are usually kept in the house)
HOWERVER- The roos I took had been vaccinated for EVERYTHING under the sun, were all healthy, were lice free, and been in a seperate grow-out pen functioning as a bachelor pad since having been moved from the brooder.
Also, not all feed stores are created equal. A few of us have had issues before. The Stock Shop (90% of time) has been pretty solid in how they maintain their animals. Other feed stores don't turn over roos fast enough, put them in teeny weeny cages, charge too much and never sell them, have picking and disease issues, etc.
ETA: IN SHORT-- I feel that "dumping" birds at the feed store is irresponsible, especially if I MARGINALLY suspect they have been exposed to any diseases. I think it is my responsibility as the birds' owner to protect other BY chicken owners from possible contamination, if at all possible.
It also makes me uncomfortable, as I do not know what fate will befall them. That is: I don't know if they will be abused, purchased for fighting, neglected, etc. I would much rather process my roos then possibly leave them open to neglect or mistreatment. When I process my birds, I know they have been spoiled rotten lap roosters from hatch until that last kiss goodbye.
Happy Food!
That was so well said Laree. As you know, I feel the same way when it comes to roos and feed stores, but I buy my feed at the Feed Barn up north and quite often see caged birds with repiratory illnesses and knew I couldn't drop off my roo there and as sad as I was, I asked your hubby to process my roo. I was really appreciative of it. Still something I need/want to learn if I am going to continue to hatch out chicks, feel like I need to be responsible for those roos. Sort of like Bob Barker saying,"Control the pet population. Have you pets spayed or neutered." Control the roo population!
