Easiest cull method

[Mamatomany123]

Exactly right.

I'm guessing in a few more weeks in should know for sure?

 

[NatJ]

I'm guessing in a few more weeks in should know for sure?

Hopefully, yes.

The problem comes when some cockerels develop really slowly, so you can't be sure whether you have a pullet or a slow-maturing cockerel. I've read of a few that weren't clear until they were over 6 months old, but they are pretty rare.

Most males would become obvious within a few more weeks, by getting much redder combs/wattles, and maybe crowing and growing long pointy saddle feathers.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Hopefully, yes.

The problem comes when some cockerels develop really slowly, so you can't be sure whether you have a pullet or a slow-maturing cockerel. I've read of a few that weren't clear until they were over 6 months old, but they are pretty rare.

Most males would become obvious within a few more weeks, by getting much redder combs/wattles, and maybe crowing and growing long pointy saddle feathers.

The fate of any cockerels will be culling, no matter when I'm able to tell. They either live a little longer or not. Because these chicks are MG carriers that is the only option I have. Theyve never shown symptoms but I could never put another person through this. This past week has been horrible thinking I was going to lose all of my girls and knowing I have to live with this until they are gone. I could do that to someone else. I guess the longer we wait the bigger the bird. I dont even know if we can eat a MG bird.

 

[NatJ]

I dont even know if we can eat a MG bird.

"The eggs and meat, when properly prepared, are safe to eat, but
for treated birds, follow the specified antibiotic withdrawal times.
Poultry Mycoplasmas are not known to cause disease in humans."

source: a .pdf from the Florida Department of Agriculture
https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/77376/file/Mycoplasma-Brochure.pdf

So yes, eating them should be fine. Butcher & cook them like you would any other chicken.

 

[Mamatomany123]

"The eggs and meat, when properly prepared, are safe to eat, but
for treated birds, follow the specified antibiotic withdrawal times.
Poultry Mycoplasmas are not known to cause disease in humans."

source: a .pdf from the Florida Department of Agriculture
https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/77376/file/Mycoplasma-Brochure.pdf

So yes, eating them should be fine. Butcher & cook them like you would any other chicken.

Thank you. I didnt have to treat these ones. Not sure if that was because they are carriers or if they just happened to not show symptoms.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Not much of a breeder if they don't know what breed they are. From those photos I'm leaning toward a mix of different breeds. Some look single combed, some look like a pea comb. I agree to hold off a bit until you are sure. To me #4 looks male based on the wattles and the heavy legs. The others, I have no idea.

To help us try to sex them can you give us two shots of each. They don't always cooperate, some are really camera shy. A good shot of the head showing the comb and wattles. A second shot showing legs, posture, and profile. Heavy legs and an upright posture are a male thing. Sometimes body shape can say boy or girl. Experience helps but I think it is more of an art than a science. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes really hard, even when they are older.

In my opinion the easiest and most humane method is the way you can. You want it to be swift and sure. You do not want to flinch or close your eyes at the wrong time, that could lead to an injured chicken or injury to yourself. I use a hatchet and stump. I'm comfortable that I can hit the target. With the head severed I'm sure that it's not feeling pain. If you don't have a stump or are not comfortable you can hit the target with confidence, I do not recommend this method.

With practically any quick method they will have involuntary movements, the wings will flap and the legs will kick so it jumps. That can be hard for some people to watch, especially if you are nor prepared for it. I haven't tried it but using a killing cone or maybe wrapping the bird in a large towel or old sheet around the wings and legs may make that easier to watch.

There are several different basic methods such as a stump with an ax, hatchet, or meat cleaver, variations of the broomstick method, using those loppers or something similar to remove the head, some slice arteries and let them bleed to death. I've seen cervical dislocation discussed.

I have no idea which will be best for you. With that disease you are in a hard place, you are making the ethical decision but that doesn't mean it's easy.

Ok, I did my best. They didnt want to stay still. They may actually be olive eggers. The breeder last told me that the rooster was BCM. Cant remember what the hen was but i just noticed 1 chick is getting that red coloring coming in in some spots.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Oh, yeah, camera shy. I understand.

#1 - I don't know. Legs look a little heavy and it looks like wattles may be coming in.

#2 - I don't know. I'll be saying this a lot. My general feel is boy, with the comb color, but could go either way. I don't see any wattles which doesn't mean a lot but is a good sign.

#3 - Not sure. Again the general feel is a boy but nothing definite.

#4 - Could go either way.

None of them have the upright posture I associate with a boy. Maybe #3 a bit.

I'm not much help to you. I don't see anything to make a firm decision on.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Oh, yeah, camera shy. I understand.

#1 - I don't know. Legs look a little heavy and it looks like wattles may be coming in.

#2 - I don't know. I'll be saying this a lot. My general feel is boy, with the comb color, but could go either way. I don't see any wattles which doesn't mean a lot but is a good sign.

#3 - Not sure. Again the general feel is a boy but nothing definite.

#4 - Could go either way.

None of them have the upright posture I associate with a boy.

I'm not much help to you. I don't see anything to make a firm decision on.

That's how I feel. 1 has had those wattles since 5 weeks but they are pale pink. I'm not giving up hope yet. One from my first batch of chickens did the same thing. Red wattles and comb at 4 weeks and she is a hen now. Her legs are HUGE though but she is also huge. A whopping 9 pounds. Here she was at 5 weeks and she now lays daily.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Oh, yeah, camera shy. I understand.

#1 - I don't know. Legs look a little heavy and it looks like wattles may be coming in.

#2 - I don't know. I'll be saying this a lot. My general feel is boy, with the comb color, but could go either way. I don't see any wattles which doesn't mean a lot but is a good sign.

#3 - Not sure. Again the general feel is a boy but nothing definite.

#4 - Could go either way.

None of them have the upright posture I associate with a boy. Maybe #3 a bit.

I'm not much help to you. I don't see anything to make a firm decision on.

Also, I'm hoping they dont all end up male. My girls got infected with MG from them. If they're all male I think I will lose it on that breeder.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Also, I'm hoping they dont all end up male. My girls got infected with MG from them. If they're all male I think I will lose it on that breeder.

Have you got them tested to know it came from there birds? Yours may have had it and showed symptoms because you brought new birds home stressing them out