Cockerel math problems

[Sussex19]

In the moment I've got as SS cockerel thats very handsome, but not a good example of his breed.
The trouble is I've got a bit attached to him, but at the same time don't want or need him.
The options are, 1 put him in the main flock, where he'll most likely at some point fight with Mister Doodle, the rooster.
2 put him in the bachelor flock, where he'll get in the way and will eat a lot (well that would be the same with 1)
3 eat him.
I think I know that 3 is the way to go, but I keep putting it off.
Any ideas to help me make up my mind?

 

[Mrs. K]

I know where you are, I harvested 5 this morning. I looked at it this way. Do you like Mr. Doodle? If so, why would you want to add another cockerel to your laying flock that will add a lot of tension to your boss rooster and harass your hens. I think roosters are where you have to look at the many verses the one.

Always solve for peace in the flock.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

If he's a good fellow with a good temperament you could give him a chance to have his own flock by advertising him in your country's equivalent of Craisglist.

I sold my Ludwig that way. He'd gone to a buyer who wanted an ornamental lawn flock while I start my purebred line of Blue Australorps.

 

[Geena]

In the moment I've got as SS cockerel thats very handsome, but not a good example of his breed.
The trouble is I've got a bit attached to him, but at the same time don't want or need him.
The options are, 1 put him in the main flock, where he'll most likely at some point fight with Mister Doodle, the rooster.
2 put him in the bachelor flock, where he'll get in the way and will eat a lot (well that would be the same with 1)
3 eat him.
I think I know that 3 is the way to go, but I keep putting it off.
Any ideas to help me make up my mind?

I've been down this road a few times, it's easy to get attached to a nice handsome cockerel. Once or twice it worked out great because I ended up needing a back up rooster. The other times I eventually ended up turning them into dog food. The longer you keep them the harder it is to butcher them. If you are sure you don't want to use him for breeding, bite the bullet and process him now before he gets too old to make a good meal.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would say he would still breed with the hens. And the ratio for roosters to hens are 1 rooster per 10 hens ( just incase you didn’t know ) .

10 hens per male is quoted for hatchery fertility. That's it. I tend to do about 4 females per male on most flocks, but my pheonix flock is currently 5 of-age females (including 4 that are not avaliable now due to nests) and 2 males and does just fine.

The rest vary between 1 female per male and 6 per male. The 6 contains 1 of only 2 hens out of all my flocks that is bald from over breeding and considering my male in that pen, I don't even think 15 girls would stop him from over breeding this particular hen

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Give him to someone who will look after him well or eat him, don't jepardise your flock if you don't think that's going to work and don't want him breeding your girls. Maybe saying a few words such as a prayer to him before killing him, expressing your love for him or something would be a nice way to do it.

I've had to cull a few birds that I really liked, was harder but they knew I loved them.

 

[3KillerBs]

Unfortunately this isn't an option, as we have possible Maraks in the flock

I'm sorry. That makes things harder.

But it is admirably responsible of you to not spread the possible infection.

 

[Sussex19]

So I did it, and now its resting in the fridge.
While I hated doing it, its quite a relief and now feel like I can enjoy my chickens again without the nagging worry of what to do with him.
A plus is that it looks like it will make a very nice meal, so he won't go to waste.
Thanks for helping me to make up my mind, its appreciated!

 

[Backyardhomestead921]

So I think if you have enough hens, option one would be good. Just make sure you introduce them properly, and take your time with that. But if they do end up fighting till the point of blood, definitely separate them and go from there.

 

[Backyardhomestead921]

Thats what I'd like to do, but there isn't really enough hens, and also I don't really want to pass on his genetics.
Also when I tried introducing a different cockerel to Mister Doodle it didn't go well, so suspect this might not work.
Would he breed the hens if he's submissive?

I would say he would still breed with the hens. And the ratio for roosters to hens are 1 rooster per 10 hens ( just incase you didn’t know ) .