Getting rid of my rooster! :(

[bobbi-j]

Lucky You! Mine would never think of it...I think if everything collapsed and we all had to kill pets and hunt for food. It would be me out there killing/hunting! I have done 2 mercy kills and it was a terrible experience. I did not eat the meat because I was concerned they were septic and the meat was not healthy. I got over it and moved on...I still miss them when I see pics of them but it was the best for them given the circumstances. I think culling him is the best for my family....It would haunt me if I chose not do anything and someone got hurt. If my dog bit someone it would be the death sentence as well, so the rooster really shouldnt be any different.

I have to say, I admire you for being able to do it. I would if I had to, but it would be hard. I don't think I'd try the hatchet method myself. DH can do it himself, but he grew up raising meat birds and beef. We also hunt and butcher our own deer. It makes a difference. Again, good for you!

Let us know how you cook him - I love trying new things!

 

[roostersandhens]

I wish I could take the rooster. I would if we lived in the same state.

 

[gg706]

I had a long conversation with my son yesterday when he got home from school. I told him that I felt I should butcher the rooster. He feels that the rooster made a mistake and it was an accident so he wants to wait and see how his behavior is over the next few weeks. He agrees that if the rooster does it again then he does need to be butchered. So I have agreed to wait and see what happens, as it would be difficult to butcher him anyway but then for my son to feel that I butchered him because of a mistake would be even worse. I talked to the kids about staying away from him, while I evaluate his behavior. If he goes at me again I made it very clear that there will not be another pass for him and I will butcher him on the spot. Not sure if I am making the right decision, hope it doesn't come back to "peck" me in the .......literally. I guess time will tell.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think you are making a mistake in the discussion you had with your son. Your son might be equating (depending on how old he is) love and acceptance of human mistakes. Those are based on judgement and decisions, using an intelligent brain. People do make mistakes, and people do not kill them as punishment.

Roosters on the other hand, do not make mistakes, they have VERY LIMITED judgement, they have very small brains. They are not people, they do not have people emotions, or decision making process skills, and they are quite limited in what they can learn especially as to behavior control.

Their behavior is largely controlled by instinct and hormones, not reasoning and love. It is a human trait, to give animals human emotions, and in some animals, it is possible, but those animals have much larger brains than a chicken. With a chicken, people are just fooling themselves, when they pretend that chickens love them back, and would make decisions in the favor of the person, which is what love really is.

I do agree, that you need to discuss it with him, but he should not be part of the decision making process, that should be an adult decision based on the adults estimation of the danger. Children (and some adults) wish things could be different, and often don't have the maturity to see reality.


MrsK

 

[roostersandhens]

Roosters do make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. gg706 what breed is he? LF or bantam?

 

[bobbi-j]

Roosters on the other hand, do not make mistakes, they have VERY LIMITED judgement, they have very small brains. They are not people, they do not have people emotions, or decision making process skills, and they are quite limited in what they can learn especially as to behavior control.

Their behavior is largely controlled by instinct and hormones, not reasoning and love. It is a human trait, to give animals human emotions, and in some animals, it is possible, but those animals have much larger brains than a chicken. With a chicken, people are just fooling themselves, when they pretend that chickens love them back, and would make decisions in the favor of the person, which is what love really is.

I do agree, that you need to discuss it with him, but he should not be part of the decision making process, that should be an adult decision based on the adults estimation of the danger. Children (and some adults) wish things could be different, and often don't have the maturity to see reality.


MrsK

X2 OP - I think you did the right thing in discussing it with your son, but I also agree with Mrs. K on whether or not a rooster can "make a mistake" or not. That having been said, your son is old enough to help in the decision-making process, and hopefully he'll be aware of the potential for an attack when he goes out to the chickens. As long as you made the agreement with him, it's important to hold up your end of the bargain. Hopefully it will never happen again, but if it does, I'm glad you've already laid down the law as to what will happen.

 

[roostersandhens]

I may be able to take him. I MAY be able to. What breed is he though? I also might have a freind who can take him!

 

[smccuen]

I think you are making a mistake in the discussion you had with your son. Your son might be equating (depending on how old he is) love and acceptance of human mistakes. Those are based on judgement and decisions, using an intelligent brain. People do make mistakes, and people do not kill them as punishment.

Roosters on the other hand, do not make mistakes, they have VERY LIMITED judgement, they have very small brains. They are not people, they do not have people emotions, or decision making process skills, and they are quite limited in what they can learn especially as to behavior control.

Their behavior is largely controlled by instinct and hormones, not reasoning and love. It is a human trait, to give animals human emotions, and in some animals, it is possible, but those animals have much larger brains than a chicken. With a chicken, people are just fooling themselves, when they pretend that chickens love them back, and would make decisions in the favor of the person, which is what love really is.

I do agree, that you need to discuss it with him, but he should not be part of the decision making process, that should be an adult decision based on the adults estimation of the danger. Children (and some adults) wish things could be different, and often don't have the maturity to see reality.


MrsK

yes - well said

 

[tcmstalcup]

I feel your heart in your posts. I am a single mom so if it has to be done well........its on me. I have gotten quite accustomed to processing our extra roos. Notice I did not use the phrase "like". I know I gave them a better chicken life than most and I will kill them quickly and humanly as I possible can so I can accept it on those terms. Only you (cuz you are living it) know if you can teach him respect or he needs to go. the younger the children involved the greater the risk of course. Thinking of you........

 

[tcmstalcup]

I forgot. Helped my neighbors process 2- I yr old roosters not long ago. They ate them and liked them. I didn't taste so can't really testify on that