Culling the beasts

[aart]

I don't watch them or talk to them

Last 3 I had would come into the coop to eat and drink while the flock was outside having their morning scratch and I was cleaning..
....I sang to them - ala David Bowie by Mott the Hoople chorus:
All the young duuuudes,
soon to be steeeew,
on the grill too-ooo,
all the young duuuudes.

..and a silent 'prayer' of thanks just prior to the big slit.

 

[True Patriot]

I'm not big on rehoming any aggressive animal. That to me, is giving my problems to someone else. That leaves a choice, keep or cull. If they're not causing harm, and there's space/resources, I'll keep and try to rehabilitate. If the rehabilitation fails or they're causing serious problems I will cull. To me it's practicality, I'm working hard to achieve a certain dynamic. After the time, money, and sweat put into the flock, when something is threatening or causing harm the decision process is simple. Ask yourself some questions, and answer honestly, not emotionally. What am I trying to achieve? What is the effect on the others? Can the problem be solved in a reasonable fashion? What is best for the majority? Questions like these will lead you to your decision. It never gets easier.

 

[Mrs. K]

@ AArt - I spit out my coffee at your song! I was laughing so hard.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have been processing roosters a long time, about 35 years. Its still not easy to take a life. But I do keep only the good fellas that do their job from a young age. I watch them with the hens, does he feed them, call out predator warnings? Talk to them about the nestbox, both mine sometimes sit with the hens when laying. a good rooster trains his son manners as well. Both my adult boys are just awesome. Most important are they aggressive? An outright aggressive rooster must be culled. There are people watching craigslist for mean birds, they want them for cockfighting. Some cultures accept and allow the practice. They may say they want him to eat, but how do you really know? Its illegal but that doesn't stop it. Much more a cruel death in my opinion! We have so many diverse cultures here in the US. Having done animal control several years I saw a very ugly side of things with roosters.
I agree with how you feel, if you hatch birds you are going to get roosters. Do the right thing for the young cockerels and take responsibility for their fate. I just hosted a processing event for local folks, BYOB (bring your own bird) or I offered one of mine for a small fee. This gave folks the opportunity to "do it" hands on with help. I offer this up for my local thread whenever I have birds to cull. There are so many things people are losing skills and not learning to do themselves. If I can help one person learn something new, I feel like its helping them for life. And there is nothing wrong with paying someone if it is beyond your comfort level.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know if i can say anything that makes it easier. I can't remember my first time. I grew up on a farm where butchering chickens was part of the rhythm and cycle of life. Mom would tell me to bring her a chicken, I'd soon give her a plucked and gutted chicken. I don't enjoy taking a life but a big part of why I keep chickens is the meat. If I did not eat them I would not have them so the butchering part is necessary.

As others have said, mine have a good life until they have one bad moment. I try to make that bad moment as brief as I can. My suggestion is to decide how you can make that moment as quick and sure as you can handle. You don't need to flinch or close your eyes at a critical moment which could result in injury to the chicken or yourself. I use a hatchet and stump but I have confidence I can hit what I aim for. A lot of people use the cone method, others may use pruning loppers or the broomstick method. It's not an easy choice and you have to be decisive when it is time. To me that is the hard part. Many people have gone through their first time but we are all different. It's not something everyone can do.

You don't say where you are located. You might be able to find your your state or country thread so you can chat with your neighbors. Maybe you can find someone local to help you through the first time or two, that would be a big help. Perhaps you can find someone that will process them for you, maybe where you can watch and learn. Maybe give them half the meat? The people at the feed store may know someone or you can do a Craigslist or equivalent posting if you don't have Craigslist.

Good luck!

 

[WVduckchick]

Last 3 I had would come into the coop to eat and drink while the flock was outside having their morning scratch and I was cleaning..
....I sang to them - ala David Bowie by Mott the Hoople chorus:
All the young duuuudes,
soon to be steeeew,
on the grill too-ooo,
all the young duuuudes.

..and a silent 'prayer' of thanks just prior to the big slit.

I'm not big on rehoming any aggressive animal. That to me, is giving my problems to someone else. That leaves a choice, keep or cull. If they're not causing harm, and there's space/resources, I'll keep and try to rehabilitate. If the rehabilitation fails or they're causing serious problems I will cull. To me it's practicality, I'm working hard to achieve a certain dynamic. After the time, money, and sweat put into the flock, when something is threatening or causing harm the decision process is simple. Ask yourself some questions, and answer honestly, not emotionally. What am I trying to achieve? What is the effect on the others? Can the problem be solved in a reasonable fashion? What is best for the majority? Questions like these will lead you to your decision. It never gets easier.

I agree with not rehoming mean roosters, but keep in mind that “some” of their attitudes can change with a change of scenery and flock dynamics. I’ve moved roosters to other pens and they totally change. Of course some don’t. I think if being upfront that it’s an aggressive rooster, and warning any possible taker, it’s up to them.

I have been processing roosters a long time, about 35 years. Its still not easy to take a life. But I do keep only the good fellas that do their job from a young age. I watch them with the hens, does he feed them, call out predator warnings? Talk to them about the nestbox, both mine sometimes sit with the hens when laying. a good rooster trains his son manners as well. Both my adult boys are just awesome. Most important are they aggressive? An outright aggressive rooster must be culled. There are people watching craigslist for mean birds, they want them for cockfighting. Some cultures accept and allow the practice. They may say they want him to eat, but how do you really know? Its illegal but that doesn't stop it. Much more a cruel death in my opinion! We have so many diverse cultures here in the US. Having done animal control several years I saw a very ugly side of things with roosters.
I agree with how you feel, if you hatch birds you are going to get roosters. Do the right thing for the young cockerels and take responsibility for their fate. I just hosted a processing event for local folks, BYOB (bring your own bird) or I offered one of mine for a small fee. This gave folks the opportunity to "do it" hands on with help. I offer this up for my local thread whenever I have birds to cull. There are so many things people are losing skills and not learning to do themselves. If I can help one person learn something new, I feel like its helping them for life. And there is nothing wrong with paying someone if it is beyond your comfort level.

I’d bring mine!
And the state thread is a great suggestion. I’m going to check mine, and maybe even volunteer to host the process if I can find someone to run it. Thanks.

 

[MROO]

I have to cull the first of four roosters and am having trouble steeling myself to do this. ...
For those of you who have gone through the rhythm and cycles of the chicken world, how did you handle the first couple of times? Any advice for me? Thank you in advance.

This was posted not too long ago under "Articles." It's a VERY well done piece on respectful culling - not too "businesslike" but also not sappy at all. It helps!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ck-is-now-at-peace.74152/reviews#review-13640

 

[MROO]

As others have said, mine have a good life until they have one bad moment.

Good luck!

My sister - a dairy farmer - always says of her cows, "They have a really good life ... and one really bad day."

 

[aesch]

I have been processing roosters a long time, about 35 years. Its still not easy to take a life. But I do keep only the good fellas that do their job from a young age. I watch them with the hens, does he feed them, call out predator warnings? Talk to them about the nestbox, both mine sometimes sit with the hens when laying. a good rooster trains his son manners as well. Both my adult boys are just awesome. Most important are they aggressive? An outright aggressive rooster must be culled. There are people watching craigslist for mean birds, they want them for cockfighting. Some cultures accept and allow the practice. They may say they want him to eat, but how do you really know? Its illegal but that doesn't stop it. Much more a cruel death in my opinion! We have so many diverse cultures here in the US. Having done animal control several years I saw a very ugly side of things with roosters.
I agree with how you feel, if you hatch birds you are going to get roosters. Do the right thing for the young cockerels and take responsibility for their fate. I just hosted a processing event for local folks, BYOB (bring your own bird) or I offered one of mine for a small fee. This gave folks the opportunity to "do it" hands on with help. I offer this up for my local thread whenever I have birds to cull. There are so many things people are losing skills and not learning to do themselves. If I can help one person learn something new, I feel like its helping them for life. And there is nothing wrong with paying someone if it is beyond your comfort level.

Last 3 I had would come into the coop to eat and drink while the flock was outside having their morning scratch and I was cleaning..
....I sang to them - ala David Bowie by Mott the Hoople chorus:
All the young duuuudes,
soon to be steeeew,
on the grill too-ooo,
all the young duuuudes.

..and a silent 'prayer' of thanks just prior to the big slit.

That's hysterical. Thanks for sharing, maybe a little levity is just what I need before the deed gets done.

 

[aesch]

I mentally start distancing myself from them, I don't watch them or talk to them.

It will really help to have some moral support, does not need anymore experience than you, you can watch you tube. But just someone to do it with you. I have found the upside down in a cone, and slitting the neck just works the easiest with me. I have caught them with a fish net, and slit their throats through the net if they were pretty mean and hard to handle. Do not be surprised if you get the nervous giggles, it happens. Once they are gone, the processing is easy. Once the feathers are off, looks just like a chicken at the store.

Animal husbandry is about choosing who stays and who goes. Some birds do not fit in the set up, and once you get it done, it is so much better for the flock. You do not have to nor should keep every bird. To me the forever friend does not apply to chickens. I keep a flock, the birds in the flock change over time and need.

That being said, knowing I have dispatched many.... also know that I need to do three and I don't even have a plan as to when to do it yet. It is not easy, but it is doable.

Mrs K

Thank you. Your advice about distancing and not watching is very good and I will do that for a few days. I'm planning on killing him this coming weekend. Much appreciated.