And I understand the other side of the coin, too. I can't climb up on a moral high horse because I spay all of my dogs. That's also another major surgery to an animal that has nothing to do with its survival. Yes, there may be health benefits (less risk of cancer, etc.), and yes an argument can be made that it is a necessity in our society. But there is are darker motivations behind spaying as well, one of which IS convenience. So I understand that it is a tough choice with no right answer, and I didn't mean to attack anyone in particular.
It just seems to me that it is a HUGE assumption that decrowing results in a "peaceful life." It has taken me years to learn to read my dogs and I still get it wrong all the time. Birds are far more subtle in their body expressions than dogs are, and I after reading the entire thread on aggressive roosters (why they become aggressive & how to deal with it) - I think it is reasonable to say that most people really struggle when it comes to figuring out what their birds are thinking and feeling. It seems wrong to just assume the bird will happily accept whatever you do to it. After all, he doesn't know that the only other alternative is death. How do you know he won't be frustrated, angry, or unhappy? For me it's a life vs. quality of life issue.
Decrowing a rooster has nothing to do with improving the health and happiness of the bird, and everything to do with improving his owner's quality of life. The whole reason I got chickens to begin with was to stop supporting an industry that keeps chickens in tiny cages where they are miserable (but super convenient for corporations). I just seems wrong to distort an animal's life that far just to suit the needs of people.
But that's just my opinion, and that's what makes forums so great. Some folks will agree with me, lots of folks won't. To each his own
