Getting rid of roosters follow up!

[Celainev]

I'm in southern NH and ended up w an accidental rooster from the last batch of sexed chickens that I bought from Myers Hatchery. Our prev rooster was also an accident in a sexed batch of chickens, we kept him until almost 12mos but he got too rough w the hens and started attacking us, so we found a guy in Greenville, NH to process him for us. With this most recent rooster (a beautiful Exchequer leghorn), we saw jerky rooster behavior at 8wks!! Definitely weren't going thru that again. Fortunately the Dodge Grain company in Salem, NH had an ad on their site for a guy in Mass who will take unwanted roosters. He keeps a bachelor flock on his farm and also raises chicks and pullets (the Aviculture Exchange). We were happy to send the beautiful but precocious rooster there to live his life. So options depending on where you are in ME...

 

[Bantam bell Wood]

I'm in southern NH and ended up w an accidental rooster from the last batch of sexed chickens that I bought from Myers Hatchery. Our prev rooster was also an accident in a sexed batch of chickens, we kept him until almost 12mos but he got too rough w the hens and started attacking us, so we found a guy in Greenville, NH to process him for us. With this most recent rooster (a beautiful Exchequer leghorn), we saw jerky rooster behavior at 8wks!! Definitely weren't going thru that again. Fortunately the Dodge Grain company in Salem, NH had an ad on their site for a guy in Mass who will take unwanted roosters. He keeps a bachelor flock on his farm and also raises chicks and pullets (the Aviculture Exchange). We were happy to send the beautiful but precocious rooster there to live his life. So options depending on where you are in ME...

 

[Bantam bell Wood]

I'm in southern NH and ended up w an accidental rooster from the last batch of sexed chickens that I bought from Myers Hatchery. Our prev rooster was also an accident in a sexed batch of chickens, we kept him until almost 12mos but he got too rough w the hens and started attacking us, so we found a guy in Greenville, NH to process him for us. With this most recent rooster (a beautiful Exchequer leghorn), we saw jerky rooster behavior at 8wks!! Definitely weren't going thru that again. Fortunately the Dodge Grain company in Salem, NH had an ad on their site for a guy in Mass who will take unwanted roosters. He keeps a bachelor flock on his farm and also raises chicks and pullets (the Aviculture Exchange). We were happy to send the beautiful but precocious rooster there to live his life. So options depending on where you are in ME...

Thank you for telling me about that resource! I found the place online. I’m in a more southern part of the state, but used to live up north and had to drive hours to go anywhere. Generally something as close as MA is easily doable.

Thank you for reading my post.

 

[McChooky]

Most of my chickens were easy to sex when hatched.It helps when you hatch your own but nothing can guarantee they all find a home. I'm glad you were able to re-home yours!

 

[mopalia]

I would be concerned that anyone who takes three roosters has a cock fighting ring, but I'm also uber paranoid.

When I was rehoming two roosters and later, needed three culled, I spent time on Facebook. I got several offers of all kinds, and I did not send roosters to the men who had no mention of roosters or chickens on their Facebook pages. I found women who were posting loving photos of their chickens, and the culls went to someone who now raises quail but would use the culls for food. I share your paranoia, and I feel that dead and eaten is a better fate than tortured, so I did my homework.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Thank you for expanding on this. I was thinking that the person wanted the meat. My blue seal chicken person told me that roosters are sometimes used for dog food too.
I think it’s wiser to be paranoid about that aspect of a rooster’s fate. I refuse to be part of some sociopath/psychopath’s way of getting their rocks off. Whether it’s illegal or not, fighting animals is inhumane.

I really appreciate folks helping recognize that reality.

Thank you.

I also would assume for the meat, especially if you give them away

 

[Bantam bell Wood]

Most of my chickens were easy to sex when hatched.It helps when you hatch your own but nothing can guarantee they all find a home. I'm glad you were able to re-home yours.

When I was rehoming two roosters and later, needed three culled, I spent time on Facebook. I got several offers of all kinds, and I did not send roosters to the men who had no mention of roosters or chickens on their Facebook pages. I found women who were posting loving photos of their chickens, and the culls went to someone who now raises quail but would use the culls for food. I share your paranoia, and I feel that dead and eaten is a better fate than tortured, so I did my homework.

I really like that strategy!

Thank you for that.

 

[Bantam bell Wood]

I also would assume for the meat, especially if you give them away

Yes, I’m new to this but I think that’s a fair assumption. I had hoped someone(s) might want a small rooster for their flock. I didn’t want roosters, bc I’m unable to keep them where I live. When I add to my flock in the future, I am considering older chicks/pullets.

 

[Bantam bell Wood]

I need some clarification from folks who are knowledgable about the breed of my Barred Plymouth Rick cockerels (yes, I’m still working to solve my rooster situation).

Are these birds an “official breed” or are they hybrids? It’s become my understanding that the Barred Plymouth Rock Bantam is a recognized “breed” (am I using the right term?). I’ve read that they are an American heritage breed, just of a smaller size.

A local farm asked if they are hybrids. I don’t think the Barred Plymouth Rocks are. Can someone clarify?

Thanks.

 

[kattabelly]

I need some clarification from folks who are knowledgable about the breed of my Barred Plymouth Rick cockerels (yes, I’m still working to solve my rooster situation).

Are these birds an “official breed” or are they hybrids? It’s become my understanding that the Barred Plymouth Rock Bantam is a recognized “breed” (am I using the right term?). I’ve read that they are an American heritage breed, just of a smaller size.

A local farm asked if they are hybrids. I don’t think the Barred Plymouth Rocks are. Can someone clarify?

Thanks.

Plymouth Rock is a breed. Barred is one of the colour varieties. There are both bantam and large fowl versions.

Were they asking about the breed, or if your cockerels specifically were "pure" Barred Plymouth Rocks or a cross between that and something else?