Cockerel?

[Ted Brown]

@aart I will wait and watch as long as I can. If I see signs of aggression I will cull, so far only "stand ups" among the few cockerels and even those are passing moments.

@red horse ranch Thanks for the tip. I read the "Breed" page and the "Australorp...focus..." thread, very encouraging.

 

[ValerieJ]

I have 2 or 3 cockerels in my little ones. I've decided to try a bachelor pad for them. If I can manage that, and they can get along, I'd keep all of them. They will be great for breeding when I have a broody hen. I would love to never raise chicks again.

 

[chrissynemetz]

He's a very handsome little cockerel.

 

[Ted Brown]

...I've decided to try a bachelor pad for them...

Hmmmmm... perhaps would allow a longer look?

I assume that a bachelor pad means duplicating coop/run? I am thinking broth.

 

[aart]

I am thinking broth.

...and the meat, what little there is.
And if you pluck them before 16 weeks you can put them on the grill for that crispy skinned deliciousness!

 

[Ted Brown]

...and the meat, what little there is.
And if you pluck them before 16 weeks you can put them on the grill for that crispy skinned deliciousness!

Sounds like it might be one of those "Is the juice worth the squeeze" kinda things?

(This thread just took a turn for the worse.)

 

[aart]

Sounds like it might be one of those "Is the juice worth the squeeze" kinda things?

Yup, worth it, if you think quality over quantity...and using an animal that would otherwise be wasted. The grilled bones make an excellent stock ingredient.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hmmmmm... perhaps would allow a longer look?

I assume that a bachelor pad means duplicating coop/run? I am thinking broth.

That's my thought. Yes, I will have a separate run and coop for them. Someone on here was explaining how they do it, and they have them in an adjacent area, and give them conjugal visits when they want fertilized eggs. They will add the cockerel/rooster to the roost with the girls at night, then the next night move him back to the bachelor pad. Others have said they have to be kept out of sight of the girls. We can accommodate either scenario and will start with the adjacent pen, where they are now. They get along well now, but they are only 12 weeks. We will be learning as we go, and will probably start a thread on it at some point.

 

[Folly's place]

My cockerels stay with the flock, including the roosters and hens, while they grow, and I make decisions about them.
Any human aggression is a cull point, as are obvious conformation faults, as my keepers will be reproducing. It takes time, and development, to really see who's who out there.
I'd recommend an early cull, for early temperament issues, too small, or poor conformation. I'm not talking about SQ, but structural faults, that will matter in offspring.
Then maybe keep your best two, and see how they do over the winter.
Mary

 

[Cheychey222]

Cockeral