Choosing which roo to keep--advice?

[WoodlandWoman]

I don't see any reason why you can't cull more than once, if you want to. For now, I would cull the mean ones and the Sussex. Because of the diverse qualities you are looking for in a rooster, I would then keep the best flock leader (Dauphin) and the best bird for breeding (Gautier). I think your plan to separate Gautier into a breeding pen when you are ready to get into breeding, sounds great.

If Henri and the little silkies are well tolerated, then I don't see a problem with you keeping them for now. As time goes on, you may have problems between the roosters. You can certainly cull again, then, or set up separate housing, depending on what the problem is. I don't think you need to force yourself to make all the decisions now. Just be prepared to separate on short notice.

There are a lot of different criteria people can use, when culling. It just depends on what's most important to you. Type, temperament, vigor, productivity. It's all important, but it's all a trade off, too. This is also not your livelihood, it's your hobby and these are also your pets. So, I don't think it's unreasonable for your personal feelings to be a criteria.

Your posts seem very well thought out to me. I say, go with your instincts, do what you're comfortable with and see how it goes. You may make different decisions as time goes by and your situation or plans change.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

SIGH. One of my boys has always looked at me (since hatching) with this look like, "I know you are going to dispatch of me some day and I will never forgive you, but there isn't much either of us can do about it." I've always felt so guilty to even consider taking his life. He's quite the character and an admirable big brother to his sweet (and once so frail) hatchling sister.

No they aren't people, but they are most certainly our feathered family, if we allow them to be.

 

[Davaroo]

Can I confess something? I dont enjoy the slaughter. It is an ugly business, better gotten through with as little fanfare as possible. Fortunatley it's quick. I DO sympathize with you.

New blood is not needed as often as some will tell you, and certainly not just for the sake of doing so. Drake Maiden has a good point about inbreeding, though - keeping several lines in good shape is a good idea to help offset this. They dont have to be yours alone either. A communal breeding group can work together on that. It's what they used to do.
in time, everyones stock was strengthened.
It doesn't have to be via cocks alone when it is done, either.

In fact, one of he diciest things you can do to a carefully managed blood line is bring in random vectors in the form of unverified cocks. Just be sure that:
A. It is needed
B. It is well sourced.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Elderoo -- I don't think you have to defend yourself here. It seems you have been doing this for a while and know what you are doing. Your advice is sound. I think you have good points to make, but they may or may not fully apply to everyone's situation.

In my situation, my flock has come from the same three parents, so I guess that is why I am so (admitedly)adament about advising diversity. It is different if you got your eggs from the hatchery. But even then, I honestly don't see how it hurts to widen the pool, especially if none of your birds are stellar examples of what you want. I'm not advocating indiscriminate breeding, just more options to choose from.

Once you have your breeding plan set up and your genetic stock aquired, I think its safe enough to inbreed for a while -- that's what I'm looking forward to! It would be that much easier if we all had local communities established to exchange stock with. Not all of us have that (yet).

 

[Windy Ridge]

No, my tongue was in my cheek... see the winky face?

I have a moral quandary because I enjoy eating chicken, don't want to support factory farmed chicken, and yet I don't think I have the whatzits needed to do it myself. I can hunt deer, but perhaps that's because I didn't raise it from an egg--er, fawn.

The farmer-friend I have to whom I gave my first set of extra cockerels doesn't enjoy that part of the job, either. You'd really have to be crazy, I think, to look forward to it. Maybe you can look forward to the result of having delicious, fresh farm-raised chicken, of course, but I don't think any sane person actually looks forward to using the hatchet or wringing necks... or even to all the work entailed in plucking and scalding and cleaning. (It's why so many people have theirs processed, I'm sure!)

I appreciate hearing differing voices; it's why I asked on the forum.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Windy: I originally was going to

, nudge, nudge back, but I didn't want to completely annoy mr. elderoo with my soft-heartedness.

So I toned it down. I'm sure he still felt

'ened by my "feathered family" phrase, so why did I bother?

I don't think I've got what it takes either, but I'm not going to let it stop me from trying. Baby steps.

I hear if you time it right, as in during molting, it's easier to de-feather.

Even though your birds will end up on the table, at least you know they lived the good life. That should make you feel at least a little bit warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[Davaroo]

MAN, some good stuff here!

Elderoo -- I don't think you have to defend yourself here.

Never - merely getting into the spirit of sharing

I think you have good points to make, but they may or may not fully apply to everyone's situation.

Which is true for about any point one wants to make.
I just remember something Margaret Thatcher once said: "The middle of the road is the worst place to be, because the traffic hits you from both directions."

In my situation, my flock has come from the same three parents, so I guess that is why I am so (admitedly)adament about advising diversity.

Okay, thats not really "diversity" in the common sense. Thats clan mating.

I honestly don't see how it hurts to widen the pool, especially if none of your birds are stellar examples of what you want. I'm not advocating indiscriminate breeding, just more options to choose from.

I love you! You said my favorite words: "I'm not advocating indiscriminate breeding." It doesn't hurt to widen the pool, if you are aware of what you are about and do so with selection and (dare I say it) - discipline.

Once you have your breeding plan set up and your genetic stock aquired, I think its safe enough to inbreed for a while -- that's what I'm looking forward to!

You go, girl!

It would be that much easier if we all had local communities established to exchange stock with. Not all of us have that (yet).

Normally, you have to create that. Most people, even country types, arent really in the know on such things. People have grown apart from each other, but it only takes two to start. Baby steps...

I don't think any sane person actually looks forward to using the hatchet or wringing necks... or even to all the work entailed in plucking and scalding and cleaning.

For the table, processing should be done according to what is nowadays called the "Kosher method." They used to call it "sticking."

Even though your birds will end up on the table, at least you know they lived the good life. That should make you feel at least a little bit warm and fuzzy inside.

It doesn't get better than that. Something dies, another lives...immutable Law of the Universe.
If your a vegan, you're killing plants.
If you're a carnivore, you're killing animals.
If you're an omnivore, you're killing everything.​

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Elderoo --

No we don't have clan mating, since none that are related have interbred. They are being kept separate. Breeding will commence again when we get new stock. I only now have space to keep more than 3 birds. Those first 3 birds were most likely not related, hence they were allowed to create the first generation of my flock. That first generation will not be allowed to interbreed.

I know you are an established chicken man, but some of us have only just gotten our feet wet. It is easy to mock us and our newbie sentiments, but I'm sure you had to start somewhere too.

Next time please leave the sarcasm at home. I'm sure you have a lot of valuable information to share, but it is hard for others to appreciate your input, when you mock them and their sentiments. Love ya!

 

[Davaroo]

Well, I am certain you have taken me wrong - actually, I'm on your side and applaud your efforts. I certainly recall the first time I mucked up things...

Since then I have learned to not be so deadpan serious about everything. Chickens are easier than we make them out to be. If you were offended, then I apologize.

However, if you insist on scolding me in the future, do so in a private email message. Thank You. Love ya back!

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread...

 

[DrakeMaiden]

But see, I'm on your side too, which is why I keep getting run over.

Peace?