Finding a Home for Roosters

[Cousgirl]

What do you do with your extra roosters? Eat them? Donate them? Sell them?

 

[ChickenToes]

We butchered all of our extra roosters, where I live there's not much of a market for them. You could always put an ad in the paper or list them on craigslist.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

When I started hatching chicks, it was one of the first things I thought about. For me, processing for the table works best for us. I do not stress about get rid of them and needing to find them a home. I treat them all very well and they have a great life, then make a great meal.

 

[Cousgirl]

Thank you. I called an animal sanctuary first because I hated the idea of eating them after working so hard to get them hatched. The lady I spoke to was really rude to me. I didn't expect that. I told her the other alternative was to eat them, so I guess that's what we'll be doing.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Here is how I think about it - yes, it can be work to get them to hatch but they would not even be here if it was not for me - I put the hen and roo together, I gathered and incubated the eggs, then I raise the chicks.

I enjoy raising them, watching their personalities emerge, their colors as they feather out -- but generally about 5-6 months old, they honestly are getting on my nerves

That age all they think about is girls, girls, girls.


This article I found helpful when I started thinking about processing my own - talks about how chicken use to be rated (fryer, roaster, stew) and the age of the bird at such time, plus tips on how to cook a backyard chicken (which is different than a cornishx meat bird).

www.albc-usa.org/documents/cookingwheritagechicken.pdf

 

[lilblessings5]

Quote:
HorseFeatherz- thanks for the link - that is a great article! I really wasn't sure what I was going to do with my roos- now I think I'll eat them for sure!

 

[Momma_Cluck]

another option-- IF they are hand-raised and friendly, call your local 4-H... often there are kids who want to show birds but don't have one!!