Decrowing Roosters.

[Kassaundra]

Well, one could argue that intact animals prevented from mating might experience a lot of frustration, which might end after neutering. I think it would be difficult to quantify and compare the positive and negative subjective and health impacts on the animal. But since spaying/neutering helps prevent overpopulation and the suffering of other animals, it's a good "social habit", if you will. So many people seem to have difficulty adequately caring for themselves and their families, and expecting them to maintain good fencing (look at how many people in these forums choose killing predators over maintaining effective fencing), or to keep same sex animals, would simply be ineffective. Spaying/neutering is an easier, one shot deal. So yes, it's a sort of "convenience", but still may be the better choice.

Absolutely no arguement that it is the better choice.

 

[bluedogsonly]

Never tried metacam in birds. We dont even carry it. It is a pretty safe drug though. There just isnt much research with birds on most drugs or procedures.

Dr. James

 

[bluedogsonly]

Also, spaying reduces the likelyhood of mammary cancer. Nuetering decreases the chance of BPH, but increases prostatic cancers and likelyhood of blockage due to a bladder stone. Theres good and bad in everything we do. Just gotta weight the pros and cons. There are no "right" answers.

Dr. James

Interestingly, I have a guy in Australia very interested in this procedure.

 

[Time-Out]

Aha! It was metacam! I was told to give it either once a day or twice a day for three days. I was also given some antibiotics that were to be administered either once or twice a day (one was once the other twice).

 

[janinepeters]

Time-out, thanks for getting back to us. It is useful to know that metacam (same as meloxicam) has been used in chickens, even if there hasn't been any research on using it in birds. I don't know if it is safe to use for surgical pain (NSAIDS inhibit platelet function and as far as I know they are generally avoided for a few days before and after surgery), but it's good to know there is something worth trying, if a chicken is in pain for other reasons.

 

[bluedogsonly]

The coagulation problem and GI issues are mainly what the drug companies are trying to avoid. The drugs are better than they used to be. I use NSAIDs for most post op pain and havent seen any issues. Most vets use carprofen post op. Anyway. The decrowed birds are still lookin and sounding good. I'll have some birds that I've decrowed that I'll probably be advertising on here soon, if anybodys interested. As soon as I get some antigen and test 'em.

Still looking forward to more response on the subject.

Thanks.

Dr. James

 

[bluedogsonly]

Just checkin to see if people are still reading this thread.

Dr. James

 

[FireTigeris]

I am but nothing is going on.

 

[bigoledude]

Hey Doc

I think this endeavor of yours would be successful if people knew you offered this service. Gotta get the message out there. I have growing birds that are due to start crowing and laying relatively soon. I have at my house 6 breeds that are somewhat expensive. At least for me. It would be wonderful for me to be able to recoup my expenses by selling some hatching eggs and chicks. Maybe I could even make a small profit from my back yard. My neighbors are all good and decent folks but, having 6 roosters blasting away at every daybreak will most likely test their patience!

Would I love to have my birds de-crowed and be able to raise them right here with me? Yes. Do I have $1,200 to have it done? No! However, being allowed to keep de-crowed roosters in the city limits would generate sales from everything from hatching eggs, to chicks to feed.

I take good care of my birds. I hated having my chickens in a location away from my house. Not to mention the joy my grand-children get from having "their" chickens, eggs and baby chicks right here!

 

[bluedogsonly]

Hey Doc

I think this endeavor of yours would be successful if people knew you offered this service. Gotta get the message out there. I have growing birds that are due to start crowing and laying relatively soon. I have at my house 6 breeds that are somewhat expensive. At least for me. It would be wonderful for me to be able to recoup my expenses by selling some hatching eggs and chicks. Maybe I could even make a small profit from my back yard. My neighbors are all good and decent folks but, having 6 roosters blasting away at every daybreak will most likely test their patience!

Would I love to have my birds de-crowed and be able to raise them right here with me? Yes. Do I have $1,200 to have it done? No! However, being allowed to keep de-crowed roosters in the city limits would generate sales from everything from hatching eggs, to chicks to feed.

I take good care of my birds. I hated having my chickens in a location away from my house. Not to mention the joy my grand-children get from having "their" chickens, eggs and baby chicks right here!

Yep. I was hoping that BYC would be a good place to start spreading the word. Im going to try and take a web design class in the spring so I can get a website going. Maybe advertise in the magazines. I agree that this procedure isnt the most economical way to have several breeding roosters, but I think its more for the lone rooster of the backyard flock, not the intensive breeder. I have around 15 roos on my place and getting more, I wont decrow them all. But my girlfriend, who had one in her backward, would never have one that wasnt done again. Pluses and minuses to everything. I currently have a decrowed partridge wyandotte (still have a couple left if anybodys interested) on the way to jersey and will be sending a bb red AGB to a friend in NC soon. Going to do some stardard birds of mine for trade to our local pullorum tester. He also raises the AGB's. Thanks all.

Dr. James