I guess you can look at this way! people who do not agree with culling chickens because it's mean, when did you last eat chicken?
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I appreciate the thought that went into posting that. I agree on culling for deformities. Its so hard to do, but unless they are going to be in a very very small flock, where they can be taken care of specially every day, it can be difficult for a deformed bird in a flock situation.
Now on the vulture hocks. Personally, I wouldnt cull for that, unless culling means to sell. The bottom line is, its a chicken, and can either be someones backyard rooster or someones dinner. Its not like breeding dogs or cats that have serious population issues. Ive never known of a chicken over population issue. There are many many MANY MANY home flocks that arent any specific breed. They are just crossbred back yard chickens that do exactly what chickens do, lay eggs and provide a meal. So personally, I wouldnt cull for a breed flaw. A chicken doesnt have to be a perfect breed specimen to have a good and useful purpose in this world. To me, the bottom line is, its a chicken. It lays eggs, it provides a meal. It can provide a use for another person, where it might not be what you want. And that is just as important as fitting into a breed standard.
I would agree with Halo. I don't think I would cull a chicken unless it had deformities that were going to make it difficult for the chicken to survive. If I'm looking for a chicken that is breed specific, then I would look for a breeder with a good reputation of producing a quality bird. In that case, I could see the need for the breeder to cull certain birds in order to keep the breed pure. But for the regular small-flock, or backyard chicken keeper, I don't care to have a perfect flock. Just chickens that give me eggs, and or, meat.I appreciate the thought that went into posting that. I agree on culling for deformities. Its so hard to do, but unless they are going to be in a very very small flock, where they can be taken care of specially every day, it can be difficult for a deformed bird in a flock situation.
Now on the vulture hocks. Personally, I wouldnt cull for that, unless culling means to sell. The bottom line is, its a chicken, and can either be someones backyard rooster or someones dinner. Its not like breeding dogs or cats that have serious population issues. Ive never known of a chicken over population issue. There are many many MANY MANY home flocks that arent any specific breed. They are just crossbred back yard chickens that do exactly what chickens do, lay eggs and provide a meal. So personally, I wouldnt cull for a breed flaw. A chicken doesnt have to be a perfect breed specimen to have a good and useful purpose in this world. To me, the bottom line is, its a chicken. It lays eggs, it provides a meal. It can provide a use for another person, where it might not be what you want. And that is just as important as fitting into a breed standard.
As a general rule, I kill chickens when they are too deformed, sick, or injured to survive, or whenever I have extra roos for the table. I wouldn't cull over aesthetic issues unless, of course, I intended to also eat the bird and had better males available.
I understand your respect for the standards of perfection, but to most chicken owners they aren't that important. The kind of people who will take a vulture-hocked rooster won't be showing him or his progeny, and there's nothing wrong with a basic utility bird.
That said, I think you mentioned that he has a bad temper? I WOULD cull him for that.