Feral Rooster - How to get rid of?!

[bobbi-j]

I have no suggestions on how to catch him, but if you do, the quietest method to kill him would be cervical dislocation - also known as the "broomstick method". Look it up. I have never used it, but those who do say it's a very quick, humane death.

 

[Unobtanium]

I have a bit of an unusual problem. The property that my chickens are on has had feral chickens running all through the neighborhood, long before I got there ten years ago. There used to be TONS of the little devils running around, which was always fun to watch, especially when the hens had their babies. But the roosters caused such a huge fuss that the city actually passed a "No rooster" ordinance a couple years ago, because, I don't know, I guess the feral roosters can read and would know they're no longer allowed?

Anyways, after I got my chickens, they started concentrating on sticking around my property, as to be expected. Through a painstakingly slow process of getting the feral chickens comfortable around me by using food, I've been able to trap just about every hen and rooster in the area. These guys are incredibly feral, even when raised by humans, so all the ones I got were taken to the local shelter so they can deal with them since I didn't have the heart to kill them myself.

There is one rooster left. He has been sticking around for about a year. He's comfortable enough to stick around my chickens, stand outside the window crowing, and steal from my emu's food bin. But if he sees a human, even if they're a distance away, he will go running. I previously would bait a very large wire dog kennel with chicken food, then wait a distance aways before they would eventually go in and I would go running to close the door on them, thus trapping them. I can't exactly do that with a rooster who runs at the sight of me and comes onto the property randomly.

I'm sick of this stupid bird. He's not even mine yet I'm feeding and having to listen to him as if he were mine! The city would be useless to capture the bird and I really don't want to catch their attention anyways since I do actually have two roosters of my own that I've had long before the ordinance was put in place. With trapping not an option, what can I do to kill this bird, without the use of a gun since I'm within city limits? I have an airsoft gun that I've wondered about if it could do the trick, but it's not particularly powerful and I would have to be in close range for it to be lethal to a small animal.

PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE I GO INSANE!!! Between this, the reoccurring lice on my Silkies that doesn't go away no matter what I do and causes an endless battle from March-December, and the persistent rat problem, I want to just throw in the towel after 8 years of owning chickens.

You have roosters.
That is illegal.
The feral rooster can be used as a scapegoat for any crowing,etc. heard coming from your locale. Exploit him. Everyone knows about the feral things by now, and I'm sure other see him. It gives you credibility and plausible deniability unless the investigation becomes intense.

 

[Mountainbumble]

Aloha, I am dealing with the same thing x 2. The neighborhood I live in on Maui is infested with feral chickens. Locals here allow them and even enjoy having them. One of the birds starts crowing at 1 am and goes until afternoon at least once per hour and sometimes much more. One bird gets another going and there goes the whole neighborhood around 4 am. I am beyond over it. I am personally going the high velocity pellet gun route. The birds a very bold and come right into my yard and will stay right in the open. Lately I have been observing behavior closely. Times, location, etc... personally I would rather use a 30 cal and make a feather poofball but, not an option in a residential neighborhood. I should be able to do it at night or very early morning while most are still sleeping. Anyhoo, another method is to feed them with something they will eat that will expand in their gut and kill them like umcooked rice but, if you go this route know that they must consume at least 2 cups for it to work. I also thought of poisoning but do not wish to harm other birds or animals in the process. Live animal traps can work but, take time and when you are dealing with several chickens the rooster is usually the smartest one. People that are not dealing with this cannot comprehend how hard frustrating it is. Lastly you can pay someone to do it for you. Local hunters or guides would be the best place to look. Wishing You Peace and tranquility.

 

[McChooky]

They make Crossbows that shoot just like guns.