Decrowing Roosters.

[RachaelS]

I did not read this entire thread, just got too disgusted to.

With such little respect for human beings [millions are declared inferior or even subhuman], I should not be surprised by cruelty imposed on animals.
Don`t get for the life of me why some folks here delight in kicking and hitting roosters simply for being who roosters are. Or why anyone would surgically [or chemically] alter them or any other animal. Or any human being.
Can`t shake off the creepy impression that some human folks just thrive on abusing other creatures as much as they gloat over abusing others of their own kind.


birdfreak

With all due respect and because I see you are very new to chickens. I don't think you should judge people until you have "walked a mile" in their shoes. If you have never had a 10 lb chicken attack your 5 year old daughter because she was walking through the yard, you would not understand the "delight" it kicking it. They can cause SERIOUS damage, I am sure you know what talons can do with your background, talk about puncture wounds. Ever handle a 10 lb hawk? Roosters can be every bit as dangerous. Honestly, no one really "delights" in kicking, hitting or altering their roosters, however, sometimes it has to be done, or the chicken has to be killed/"re-homed". Simple as that. I am lucky that I live where it does not matter if my roosters crow, but I know others are not blessed like that.

 

[miquwid]

I appreciate everyones opinion here and if you lived in my neck of the woods you would see the need here. I help rehab pets/wild animals of all types and I work in the pet industry to be able to do this. Over the years in the us we have perfected certain surgeries so it's safer for the pet and these lovely animals can live quality lives with there loving owners.

So please don't be disgusted by me but try and understand that sustainable lifestyle takes creative steps in changing societies. A decrowed roosters is what is best for us.

thanks you for all your input I always love to hear what people are thinking. Have a great day.

 

[shmccarthy]

I did not read this entire thread, just got too disgusted to.

With such little respect for human beings [millions are declared inferior or even subhuman], I should not be surprised by cruelty imposed on animals.
Don`t get for the life of me why some folks here delight in kicking and hitting roosters simply for being who roosters are. Or why anyone would surgically [or chemically] alter them or any other animal. Or any human being.
Can`t shake off the creepy impression that some human folks just thrive on abusing other creatures as much as they gloat over abusing others of their own kind.

Okay, okay, rant over...........
Couldn`t resist because this "decrowing business" is too bizarre. My opinion anyway.

As a bird rehabber I am used to all kinds of loud birds and I`ve always enjoyed them all.
I am new to chickens and I only have one, a small rooster, who showed up on my doorstep during a cold, snowy day.
I picked him up and kept him, so the neighbors` dogs wouldn`t kill him. The chicken keeping folks I located didn`t want him even after I quarantained him for eight weeks.
He is very tame and sweet and apparently happy with me.

And he crows!!!

He crows at sunrise which is when I get up anyway. Right nows that`s at 4:30am.
He also crows anytime during the day.
That`s besides a whole repertoire of amazing vocalizations I had no idea could come out of a chicken.

I love his crows and encourage him to crow more. And he does.

I`ve had second thoughts after joining this chicken forum, did it on an impulse which probably wasn`t smart.
Will probably continue to do much more lurking than posting. Can`t say that I actually connect with others here.
Now I`ll go off to find posts from people who care for their chickens.
Fortunately, they, besides those who kick and hit and seemingly hate their chickens, roam around here also.

Therefore....."When you find what`s worth keeping, with a breath of kindness blow the rest away"   [from "The Golden Feather" by Robbie Robertson]

birdfreak

I was going to address this, but I don't even know where to start. You can't base the little information you know about a subject and base your opinion on that. It's very important to read about something to make an intelligent opinion on that. All personal beliefs aside, I would suggest reading actual facts about the procedure before judging it.
Now I find it a little offensive that you think the people here on BYC "seemingly hate their chickens". Anyone who is on here is on here because they love their chickens. Whether they view them as pets or stock, people are on here to talk/discuss/and learn about chickens and help others out.
I know you're new to chickens, but you need to educate yourself on the behavior associated with them. Roosters are naturally dominating animals. They can and will take advantage of anyone they think they can. That is why it's important to show a rooster, in "rooster language" that you're the big rooster, not him. Scolding him like a dog, or bribing him with treats won't work, he won't understand. In the rooster world, the tougher guy is on top and you have to show him you're tough. Some roosters need to be pushed, have a small kick, or be pinned down. It's not a sign of abuse to them, it's a sign of another dominating animal. When my usually docile roosters are bad, I punish them accordingly. My EE will occasionally peck me hard, and has charged me once. I picked him up and held him by his feet. This did not hurt him, at all. It just disoriented him and gave him time to calm down. When he calmed down, I put him back down and he didn't try it again, for a long time. Trust me, I care deeply about my chickens. I love them to death. If I didn't care about my roosters, I would personally cull them. Instead I work with them, so I'm happy and we can live in peace together. Before you place judgment like that on this community, think twice please. We love and care about our chickens here, and we want what's best for them.

 

[blondeNchicken]

BirdFreak,
Why so much hate and ignorance? Sure, it was a rant, and that's what most rants are full of, but really. As a "bird rehab-er", I'm SURE you've come across plenty of people who can no longer care for their pets because of extenuating circumstances.

That's where I personally am at in my life. My birds are the most spoiled creatures you can imagine, BUT I have one problem. I'm a college student living in the city (NO, I can't move, because my education comes before ANYTHING in my life), and I am not allowed to have roosters because of the noise. I am extremely lucky and the envy of my neighborhood with my flock, but my absolute sweetest chicken turned out to be a roo.

I bought from a pullet box, and spent about an hour carefully sorting the chicks as best as I could, so that I would not end up with a roo that I couldn't keep. Well, mistakes happen, and I ended up with 1 roo out of 17. He survived a nasty dog attack, and I can't bear to see him go as a "bait bird" for dog or cock fighting, or go to a stewpot.

There are so many unwanted roo's around here, I'm pretty positive that if he left my care, that woul be his fate. So, decrowing is my last resort.

It's not that I have a problem with a rooster crowing, it's the NEIGHBORS and the CITY.

Get off your high horse, because I guarantee you that the people on here are doing their damnedest to keep their pets/ stock happy.

 

[miquwid]

Happy Father's Day

 

[ernie85017]

You must have trained with Dr. Babcock, who decrowed 2 roosters for me.
Only if you can make it less expensive will it ever .. uh.. fly. I can't believe I spent all that money to decrow them. They were my first polish, and I learned the hard way about straight run chicks.

 

[bluedogsonly]

Sure did. Awesome guy. How successful was the procedure with your birds? The cost of vet care in rural OK vs the city of Phoenix is, we'll say, a bit different. Straight run, a rooster is usually a sure thing. Vent sexed pullets are still roosters 10% of the time. When my gal first decided she wanted chickens (after being around mine) we went to pick some chicks out of the pullet bin. She said "I want 4" so I told her to pick at least 6, at least 1 will die and 1 will be a roo. Thats how it turned out, until her dog ate three of the 4 remaining pullets.

 

[miquwid]

Sure did. Awesome guy. How successful was the procedure with your birds? The cost of vet care in rural OK vs the city of Phoenix is, we'll say, a bit different. Straight run, a rooster is usually a sure thing. Vent sexed pullets are still roosters 10% of the time. When my gal first decided she wanted chickens (after being around mine) we went to pick some chicks out of the pullet bin. She said "I want 4" so I told her to pick at least 6, at least 1 will die and 1 will be a roo. Thats how it turned out, until her dog ate three of the 4 remaining pullets.

I bought 6 sex links babies thinking the same thing especially from TSC. Got them home and two already had poopy butt, to my surprised they all lived close to four months now I believe no roo but they make such strange noises that make second guess myself every once in awhile. Found one get but unsure if it came from my older girl and if it did it means she went in another nest box across the run into the other coop hmmm don't know but chickens are funny.

 

[Ramblin Rooster]

I just got 2 welsummer rooster out of my batch of 7 chicks and love them sooo much and would definitely be willing if it was a little closer (I live in connecticut) and maybe you could travel nationwide and make lots from traveling vet and rooster decrower! I would go down there if it was a little cheaper and not too risky!

 

[miquwid]

I believe you can mail your roo and he can mail it back.