Culling as sex selection

[rosemarythyme]

We've culled a cockerel before since that was our family agreement when we first got chickens. Hubby still won't agree to eating our own birds so growing it to butchering age and then making it dinner isn't in the plan.

Our current feed store will accept cockerel donations as long as the birds are grown enough to hold their own against other cockerels so if we get any other boys in the future that's where they'll end up.

 

[aart]

The raptor place has their own chicken flock that supply the raptors. I did think of that though!

You should ask them.
That's what I did when I was hatching sexlinks, I had to euthanize them.

 

[Mrs. K]

You can order pullets instead of hatching. Slip them under the broody hen and most of your problem will be gone.

Mrs K

 

[Chicalina]

Our current feed store will accept cockerel donations as long as the birds are grown enough to hold their own against other cockerels so if we get any other boys in the future that's where they'll end up.

That is really handy! I wish mine did.

 

[raingarden]

Whacking a chick in the head is no different than discarding an egg, decapitating a cockerel or ordering chicken nuggets at the drive-in window.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That is really handy! I wish mine did.

Yeah wish I'd known about it before having to cull the first time (though knowing how to cull is still a useful skill to have). The store will try to sell them (obviously keeping any profit) but barring that, they become BBQ. Either way the cockerels are taken care of (and allowed to crow to their heart's content until one or the other happens.

 

[JustTC]

Theres no need for blood, people. (Unless the head comes off) The rspca approved method for killing chicks up to 7 days is to use a sharp rimmed bucket. Lay the chicks neck on the rim. Take the palm of your hand. Flat. Push down hard & fast. You will feel a click. Done.
I wont kill any that i may think are roosters until they are much older. I have had hens that crow for a while once they reach p.o.l. It saddens me to think that i may not have some of my favourites if i had jumped too fast.
All that said... my babies are pets & their eggs are cooked & fed back to them for protein. Except for the occasional one i use for crumbing etc
Everyone is different & im sure it would be a different story if they were for eating.

 

[Chicalina]

Whacking a chick in the head is no different than discarding an egg, decapitating a cockerel or ordering chicken nuggets at the drive-in window.

Um...I think it is!

 

[Chicalina]

Theres no need for blood, people. (Unless the head comes off) The rspca approved method for killing chicks up to 7 days is to use a sharp rimmed bucket. Lay the chicks neck on the rim. Take the palm of your hand. Flat. Push down hard & fast. You will feel a click. Done.

Can you please send me a link to this source.

One of my current chicks has a broken wing and I think I may have to do the deed as a kindness if it doesn't improve.

 

[Jgeerl]

You should make a post on Facebook marketplace and see if anyone wants them

Facebook marketplace does not allow any animal or animal products. Chicken and egg posts get culled, sorry.