DeRooster a Rooster?

[ahartunian]

Hi,

We are gaining evidence that a chicken we got as a chick with a 95% chance of being a hen is in fact a rooster. We are not allowed to have roosters nor do we want the behaviors associated with a rooster including the crowing, aggressive behavior and getting little chicks instead of eggs. We could give this chicken to a place that takes roosters but we don't like the idea of ripping this chicken out of its home and to a place where it could potentially end up in soup. I have read something to the effect of hormones which might "switch things around" but not sure if this is a viable alternative and whether it really works. BTW we don't eat our chickens so don't care about the effect on the meat. We are exploring alternatives before we give it away. I know all about hens exhibiting rooster like behavior but there are too many factors here in favor of this being in fact a rooster. This question is isolated to potential procedures/treatments please. Thanks in advance

 

[FortCluck]

You won't get any chicks unless you allow a broody to sit on them or you incubate them, you do not just get chicks out of eggs from them sitting around... Not even if you let them sit on your counter.

I think risking putting a rooster through surgery or trying to change a rooster from being a rooster is not natural. I would just re-home him and go get a POL pullet.

Give him a home that will allow him to be a rooster...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I understand if regulations don't allow the keeping of roosters. But having a rooster won't change the number of eggs you get. There will be no chicks unless those eggs are incubated, either by a hen or artificially. When a rooster fertilizes a hen, you won't be able to tell the difference in the eggs unless the egg is kept over 90F and frequently turned.
There is one surgical option which is caponizing (similar to castration) but it has to be done before 3 months of age and is better younger. It may or may not prevent crowing and other behaviors. It is also riskier with birds than with mammals.
I also understand that you don't want to think about your rooster being eaten but the fact remains that 66 billion chickens are killed for meat each year. That's almost 150 million a day.
And that is just broilers. Same goes for egg type chickens. They hatch at a 50:50 ratio. Global laying hen population is 6.5 billion. So an equal number of the males are killed as hatchlings.

 

[aart]

I have read something to the effect of hormones which might "switch things around" but not sure if this is a viable alternative and whether it really works.

It might work, but is expensive.
How old is this 'rooster'?

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @ahartunian
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[so lucky]

Could you post some pics of this suspected cockerel? Shot of comb, neck feathers and tail feathers and overall "look" of bird. There are some very experienced folks here that can probably give you a solid answer on gender.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Everyone has already given good advice above, so if it's actually a cockerel, moving him to another family will be your best plan.
Mary

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It doesn't always go well. Someone just attempted it with a lot of precautions on a full grown cockerel. It expired.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...so-they-can-live.1339039/page-6#post-21945581