Considering my first attempts at culling roosters

[Mrs. K]

Do report back!

 

[C Siena]

We hope to free range them like we are now but will definitely have a run attached as well.

I’m sure I can kill them when the time comes. I’m not squeamish ( retired RN). I did a mini autopsy on one that died and found a big lash egg. I just pity roosters as no one wants them and the hubby and I quite like their personalities. I’ve read if you can make it past the 6 week randy stage, they settle down quite alot.

The hubby was reading an article about how good classical music (esp. at 432 hertz) is for anxiety, dementia, seizures, etc. He had the brilliant idea to try it on the chickens so we are going to experiment. Lol. Stay tuned…

I would like to know about the music.

The 6 week randy stage lasts a lot longer! We need to cull a couple of 17 weeks olds. One crows on and off through the day and has become persistent in wanting to mount pullets his age. They don't want any of it and he is becoming a nuisance in the flock. I want, no need a peaceful atmosphere for the flock. It's better for them and for me.

 

[Carontheroad]

I would like to know about the music.

The 6 week randy stage lasts a lot longer! We need to cull a couple of 17 weeks olds. One crows on and off through the day and has become persistent in wanting to mount pullets his age. They don't want any of it and he is becoming a nuisance in the flock. I want, no need a peaceful atmosphere for the flock. It's better for them and for me.

I hear you. I believe the 6 week randy period is from the time they start getting randy. Mine at 14 weeks are just getting started now so I’ll try to hold out until 20 weeks to see what happens. My 4 older hens (4years old) are great at putting the cockerels in their place but the 10 seventeen month old hens seem to get the bulk of the mounting problem as they don’t correct the cockerels (or else they like it, not sure). The 11 sister pullets seem to not be of interest to them in that way but they hang out with them more. The fighting between cockerels has increased as well. How many cockerels do you have?

I tried the music tonight after work. I’m retired but work 2 days a week for the heck of it. Went and sat outside with my Iphone and a bluetooth speaker (and a beer) and they were mostly all paying attention. I think they liked it. They seemed to gather around. Then we went into the coop while they were getting themselves settled and we think it had a positive calming effect (it sure made me feel calm ). Too soon to tell yet but I’m hopeful. I tried to take a video but the music would stop when I used the camera. I’m going to go out there at 5:30 tomorrow morning or whenever they wake me up and set up the music and leave, see what happens. The coop is near my bedroom so I can hear what’s going on. If it helps, I only plan to use it morning and evening so they don’t get too used to it. They are usually pretty chill in the afternoons when sunning themselves and dust bathing.

I asked one of the neighbors tonight if the rooster noise was bothering them and he said no, they like it, a country sound and not too loud at their place. The other neighbor is closer though and likes to sleep in so not sure about them yet. Honestly, that’s my biggest worry. I don’t want to be an annoying neighbor.

 

[C Siena]

I hear you. I believe the 6 week randy period is from the time they start getting randy. Mine at 14 weeks are just getting started now so I’ll try to hold out until 20 weeks to see what happens. My 4 older hens (4years old) are great at putting the cockerels in their place but the 10 seventeen month old hens seem to get the bulk of the mounting problem as they don’t correct the cockerels (or else they like it, not sure). The 11 sister pullets seem to not be of interest to them in that way but they hang out with them more. The fighting between cockerels has increased as well. How many cockerels do you have?

I tried the music tonight after work. I’m retired but work 2 days a week for the heck of it. Went and sat outside with my Iphone and a bluetooth speaker (and a beer) and they were mostly all paying attention. I think they liked it. They seemed to gather around. Then we went into the coop while they were getting themselves settled and we think it had a positive calming effect (it sure made me feel calm ). Too soon to tell yet but I’m hopeful. I tried to take a video but the music would stop when I used the camera. I’m going to go out there at 5:30 tomorrow morning or whenever they wake me up and set up the music and leave, see what happens. The coop is near my bedroom so I can hear what’s going on. If it helps, I only plan to use it morning and evening so they don’t get too used to it. They are usually pretty chill in the afternoons when sunning themselves and dust bathing.

I asked one of the neighbors tonight if the rooster noise was bothering them and he said no, they like it, a country sound and not too loud at their place. The other neighbor is closer though and likes to sleep in so not sure about them yet. Honestly, that’s my biggest worry. I don’t want to be an annoying neighbor.

We have 4 excess cockerels at this time. 1 is going to freezer camp later today as he is in a carrier since last evening. The 3 left are Buckeyes, 1 of which, I will retain for several more weeks to watch behavior. His father is the Senior roo.

I hatched 15 and 8 are cockerels. I was able to rehome 4 and rec'd $20 and gave the family 1 extra from another clutch. So after today, 2 to rehome or freezer camp. They are 17.5 weeks old.

I look forward on updates about the music. My phone does the same thing, limited functions at the same time.

 

[Carontheroad]

So here is an update on the music trial. It’s been almost 2 weeks. I play the music from 7:30 - 9:30 pm while they are all coming in and settling for bed. I start it again at 6:00 am until I let the roosters out at 9 am. The hens and any quiet cockerels (usually only 2) get to go downstairs for food and water when the door opens at 7 and then out into the run when another door opens at 8. The rest are in rooster jail. I pick soothing classicals in 732 hertz (the natural frequency for music) from spotify. Everyone gets to free range at 9 am.

I think it helps with their behaviour toward each other and toward the hens, less aggression. It doesn’t seem to help much with crowing but perhaps a little.

They all roost together (34) but as they start to crow too much in the morning I start putting some in rooster jail. I was using one side of the coop where I raised the chicks as rooster jail but they can still crow so now I put them in there but in cat cages. I see this morning that 2 of them can now crow in the cat cages!

It would be interesting if someone else tried the music thing to see what effect it has on their roosters (and hens).

One observation: Last evening they were especially noisy (still free ranging) so my husband for the first time went out and he picked up the most troublesome cockerel and put him in the cat cage. Everything was so quiet after that and it was the first time that all the pullets made it into the coop before the door closed. I didn’t put the music on since everyone was so quiet. We let him rejoin the others on the roost when we checked on them at 9:30. Nothing like the male presence to establish order! I was amazed and said “See, that’s why it’s good to have a mother and a father.” Lol.