Considering my first attempts at culling roosters

[GodLovesU]

I am in the process of making rehoming threads for individual states. Would you like for me to make one for Alabama?

 

[Airyaman]

I am in the process of making rehoming threads for individual states. Would you like for me to make one for Alabama?

Yes please. I'm sure this will not be the first set of cockerels I wish to rehome. 'Tis the nature of hatching those eggs that don't come with a reveal party!

I was excited when they were hatched because it was my best Ebay hatch rate yet, with 9/12 hatching.

Then as time went by I had 5M, 2F, and two I needed to wait on. They were also boys. So 7 of 9 males.

Down to 5.

I picked what I felt were the most docile but strong of the bunch. Also they wanted smaller birds because their last rooster was very large and hurt the hens, so I took that into consideration as well.

 

[GodLovesU]

Yes please. I'm sure this will not be the first set of cockerels I wish to rehome. 'Tis the nature of hatching those eggs that don't come with a reveal party!

I was excited when they were hatched because it was my best Ebay hatch rate yet, with 9/12 hatching.

Then as time went by I had 5M, 2F, and two I needed to wait on. They were also boys. So 7 of 9 males.

Down to 5.

I picked what I felt were the most docile but strong of the bunch. Also they wanted smaller birds because their last rooster was very large and hurt the hens, so I took that into consideration as well.

Ok! I'll let you know when it's ready.

 

[C Siena]

Where are you located? I have a friend who raises chickens and might be willing to take on some roosters. If not, I am sure many people on this forum will be willing to take them and give them a good home. Facebook and Craigslist aren’t the best places to find people who are willing and able to take care of roosters, but if you post a separate thread about rehoming them on this website, I’m sure there will be many people who can each take a rooster off your hands. Please consider rehoming them humanely instead of going the culling route.

Sometimes those who will take a cockerel, will do so for a free meal. She did not have anyone respond on fb and craigslist, so not much choice at this time.

Culling is not inhumane but many times it is necessary. What is one do with an ill chicken in pain? When I culled my first, I cried doing it. I made sure the knife was sharp to make it quick. I had to make sure I would be able to do it when necessary. Many times too many cockerels will disrupt the peace of the flock. If someone has a bachelor pad for them, it sometimes can work. We will not be building another coop for cockerels/roos.

Maybe you are a vegetarian or vegan as you do not like the death of animals/fish etc. That is fine, it's your choice. I understand you don't want them to be culled. I don't think anyone here enjoys needing to cull but know that sometimes it is necessary and want to do it as humanely as possible. Some have chickens for meat to feed their family.

 

[Airyaman]

have you considered getting them processed by someone professional? (or experienced?) Same outcome, but you don't have to do it personally. There would be a cost involved, but it would be $$ not an emotional cost.

When and if the time comes, perhaps.

I'm also considering trying to take them to some trade days. I understand it's a decent way to get rid of unwanted chickens. Will they go in someone else's soup pot?

As long as they aren't used for fighting, what you do with my birds once ownership changes hands is fine with me.

 

[Carontheroad]

It is quite the dilemma having so many roos. I hatched for the first time in May knowing to expect a 50% male result. Out of 20 hatched I got 9 roos. Same as you, no interest on Used.ca or a poultry FB group. Mine are crested cream legbars. They are now 13 weeks old and although everyone for the most part are still getting along (I also have 14 mature hens) we are in the process of building a rooster coop away from the hens.

I plan to put 6 of the 9 in it. We are only making it 4X10, basically just for sleeping and then let them free range. I hope it is big enough. Our main coop is a large walk in. Right now it’s pretty noisy with all the crowing so I hope that diminishes once some move to the bachelor pad. I was thinking of taking updated pictures now that they look more like roosters and reposting online. I’m so glad that you found a home for at least 2 of yours.

I have a friend that grew up on a farm and will come and show me how to kill and process when I need to but so far I’ve been avoiding it.

 

[Airyaman]

It is quite the dilemma having so many roos. I hatched for the first time in May knowing to expect a 50% male result. Out of 20 hatched I got 9 roos. Same as you, no interest on Used.ca or a poultry FB group. Mine are crested cream legbars. They are now 13 weeks old and although everyone for the most part are still getting along (I also have 14 mature hens) we are in the process of building a rooster coop away from the hens.

I plan to put 6 of the 9 in it. We are only making it 4X10, basically just for sleeping and then let them free range. I hope it is big enough. Our main coop is a large walk in. Right now it’s pretty noisy with all the crowing so I hope that diminishes once some move to the bachelor pad. I was thinking of taking updated pictures now that they look more like roosters and reposting online. I’m so glad that you found a home for at least 2 of yours.

I have a friend that grew up on a farm and will come and show me how to kill and process when I need to but so far I’ve been avoiding it.

They are currently at almost 18 weeks. They are actually doing OK with the current ratio of 2 pullets and 5 cockerels but I know that can soon turn on a dime and I'll have to pull those two girls out of there.

Interestingly, none of the cockerels has ever tried to mate with the pullets. I thought they would have started by now, but no.

I have to make the decision pretty quickly, they are right in the middle of "good eating" age, though I don't want to be the one who kills and eats them...

 

[Carontheroad]

They are currently at almost 18 weeks. They are actually doing OK with the current ratio of 2 pullets and 5 cockerels but I know that can soon turn on a dime and I'll have to pull those two girls out of there.

Interestingly, none of the cockerels has ever tried to mate with the pullets. I thought they would have started by now, but no.

I have to make the decision pretty quickly, they are right in the middle of "good eating" age, though I don't want to be the one who kills and eats them...

That’s pretty good that they are all still getting along at 18 weeks. My cockerels I’ve seen mounting or trying to mount the adult hens (they don’t seem to bother their sister pullets). One broody hen gets chased by one cockerel whenever I kick her out of the nest. I’ve noticed that not all the adult hens are good at “correcting” the cockerels. The adult hens are different breeds from the legbars.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

They are currently at almost 18 weeks. They are actually doing OK with the current ratio of 2 pullets and 5 cockerels but I know that can soon turn on a dime and I'll have to pull those two girls out of there.

Interestingly, none of the cockerels has ever tried to mate with the pullets. I thought they would have started by now, but no.

I have to make the decision pretty quickly, they are right in the middle of "good eating" age, though I don't want to be the one who kills and eats them...

Is there anyone in your area who will process them for you, including the kill? I’ve read posts here by people who use this.

 

[Airyaman]

That’s pretty good that they are all still getting along at 18 weeks. My cockerels I’ve seen mounting or trying to mount the adult hens (they don’t seem to bother their sister pullets). One broody hen gets chased by one cockerel whenever I kick her out of the nest. I’ve noticed that not all the adult hens are good at “correcting” the cockerels. The adult hens are different breeds from the legbars.

I want to move the two BA pullets into one of my other flocks because I've decided I am not going to continue with the BA line. Not bad birds mind you, but they just don't offer anything I am currently after. So those girls will provide me with eggs for a few years and that's it.

I was considering putting them with one of my Jersey Giant cockerels, and breeding them. That is probably how it will eventually go, but right now they will probably end up with my other mixed flock of one BCM cockerel, and pullets of 2 Welsummer, 2 Barnevelders, and one BCM mix (some type of crested parent in the line). That will give him 7 pullets instead of 5, although right now he only seems interested in his "egg mate" (hatched from same set of eggs) BCM mix.