Had my first cull this evening.

[lowflyer]

We had a total of 25 assorted chicks, 6 bantams and 19 egglayers...or so I was hoping.

I had several black Australorps, about three weeks old give or take. Two were looking like cockerels, but one in particular stood out. After reading the forum posts extensively on sexing, and numerous articles, I was absolutely convinced one of them was a roo.

His comb was geting reddish, over double the size of the other Australorps, his tail was rounded and stubby compared to the others, his beak was thicker, he was overall bigger than the others acquired at the same time, he held himself more upright than the others, he had a different feather growth pattern than the others, his legs were noticeably stouter, and he had already begun to act differently towards the hens, and being handled. He was ranker, less docile and "squawkier", paying more attention to the (obvious) girls than the treats I brought. Every evening I bring then fresh food and water, check their litter, pick up and handle every one of them, feeding them a favorite treat. This one had begun to act more aggressive over the past week, and I really noticed the difference in how he took to getting treats while sitting on my lap.

This was a roo. I am no expert, and this is our first flock, but it was obvious even to me.

So I made the decision to cull him before he got old enough to really be a problem. and before I got too attached to him to do what had to be done.

He was calm, and it was quick; he didn't even see it coming before he was done.

Which would have been bad enough, but when I told my husband, he had an absolute fit because I didn't ask "his" opinion first. I felt bad enough that I did what needed to be done, but I didn't need to hear that I "should have" gotten his opinion on whether it was a roo, beforehand. I made a decision based on the information I had observed.

So it's upsetting, and he's trying to make me doubt my own judgement, which pisses me off.

 

[LRH97]

Based on what you described, it sounds like you had a little roo. However, I always suggest culling as a last resort and only in the event of putting an animal out of its misery or ridding yourself of inferior/extremely aggressive or problem birds. If you have too many roos, I suggest trying to make at least something out of them by attempting to sell them, or wait until the appropriate age to butcher and put the bird to good use.

 

[aart]

Based on what you described, it sounds like you had a little roo. However, I always suggest culling as a last resort and only in the event of putting an animal out of its misery or ridding yourself of inferior/extremely aggressive or problem birds. If you have too many roos, I suggest trying to make at least something out of them by attempting to sell them, or wait until the appropriate age to butcher and put the bird to good use.

Ditto Dat^^

Cockerels are generally not really problem until they reach sexual maturity at about 3-4 months......by then they're big enough that you can put them on the grill, eat the meant and crispy skin and use the grilled bones for a great stock.

But many breeders cull early as you have done, it's a personal choice. Maybe you have pics of the cockerel and a couple of the same breed pullets, the gender difference should be apparent.

ETA: Kudos for making a hard decision and carrying thru with it.

 

[lowflyer]

When I'm on my laptop again, I'll see if I have pictures that clearly show him in contrast with the others.

I was thinking about it, his group was more like 4 weeks old than just 3 weeks.

One of us checks on them every morning, but I do the "full contact" visit in the evening, I try to give each one personalized, individual attention. I take each one out of the brooder bins, one at a time, hold her and talk to her, hand feed her treats, pet her and check her over beak to butt for health and dvelopment as well as any injuries. So I know them well enough individually to notice any significant differences.

This evening, I am even more convinced that.had been a cockerel, and one who was developing an unacceptable temperament, All his "chickmates" are fairly uniformly developed, and none just "stand out" as he had started to.

It was a hard thing to have to do, but I had to remind myself it's not going to be alll fluffy feathers and eggs. There is a serious side to raising any livestock, and regardless how we feel about them, there are going to be tough decisions to make, for the well being and sustainability of the flock ongoing.

It would be much easier to go ahead and do it early, if it must happen. A four week old is going to be easier to terminate quickly and humanely, than a twelve or fourteen week old. I've never deliberately killed any animal myself before, so it took some resolve.

I don't think I'll ever open a bottle of beer with a twist off cap again without being reminded of this.

 

[Toddrick]

Definitely it was a cockerel. It is usually pretty easy to tell after four weeks I think. I also think you did the right thing. It is much harder to cull a big bird you've been feeding for months. I've got to cull one of my grown roosters now and it is an ordeal. Next time I will pluck them young for sure. (My hens are being terrorized currently because I have 50% roosters).

 

[aart]

When I'm on my laptop again, I'll see if I have pictures that clearly show him in contrast with the others.

I was thinking about it, his group was more like 4 weeks old than just 3 weeks.

One of us checks on them every morning, but I do the "full contact" visit in the evening, I try to give each one personalized, individual attention. I take each one out of the brooder bins, one at a time, hold her and talk to her, hand feed her treats, pet her and check her over beak to butt for health and dvelopment as well as any injuries. So I know them well enough individually to notice any significant differences.

This evening, I am even more convinced that.had been a cockerel, and one who was developing an unacceptable temperament, All his "chickmates" are fairly uniformly developed, and none just "stand out" as he had started to.

It was a hard thing to have to do, but I had to remind myself it's not going to be alll fluffy feathers and eggs. There is a serious side to raising any livestock, and regardless how we feel about them, there are going to be tough decisions to make, for the well being and sustainability of the flock ongoing.

It would be much easier to go ahead and do it early, if it must happen. A four week old is going to be easier to terminate quickly and humanely, than a twelve or fourteen week old. I've never deliberately killed any animal myself before, so it took some resolve.

I don't think I'll ever open a bottle of beer with a twist off cap again without being reminded of this.

Hear, Hear!! Good for you!

Put butchering on your chicken learning curve list.

I found it harder to butcher a 3-4 month old bird and get some food out of them, but much more satisfying within the responsibility aspect..... would rather go that way than to kill a chick because of gender. Not criticizing your action, just offering food (pun intended) for thought along your road.

 

[LRH97]

Hear, Hear!! Good for you!

Put butchering on your chicken learning curve list.

I found it harder to butcher a 3-4 month old bird and get some food out of them, but much more satisfying within the responsibility aspect..... would rather go that way than to kill a chick because of gender. Not criticizing your action, just offering food (pun intended) for thought along your road.

I agree.

When I'm on my laptop again, I'll see if I have pictures that clearly show him in contrast with the others.

I was thinking about it, his group was more like 4 weeks old than just 3 weeks.

One of us checks on them every morning, but I do the "full contact" visit in the evening, I try to give each one personalized, individual attention. I take each one out of the brooder bins, one at a time, hold her and talk to her, hand feed her treats, pet her and check her over beak to butt for health and dvelopment as well as any injuries. So I know them well enough individually to notice any significant differences.

This evening, I am even more convinced that.had been a cockerel, and one who was developing an unacceptable temperament, All his "chickmates" are fairly uniformly developed, and none just "stand out" as he had started to.

It was a hard thing to have to do, but I had to remind myself it's not going to be alll fluffy feathers and eggs. There is a serious side to raising any livestock, and regardless how we feel about them, there are going to be tough decisions to make, for the well being and sustainability of the flock ongoing.

It would be much easier to go ahead and do it early, if it must happen. A four week old is going to be easier to terminate quickly and humanely, than a twelve or fourteen week old. I've never deliberately killed any animal myself before, so it took some resolve.

I don't think I'll ever open a bottle of beer with a twist off cap again without being reminded of this.

I also commend you for making a hard decision and following through with it. You are so right that raising any livestock is the cute little perfect world some people make it to be. Mainly advertisers etc.) I also think proper butchering skills are a great thing to have at your disposal also. I've mad a pretty penny selling dressed birds before. Best of luck to you! (p.s. culling is part of poultry owning, don't let it eat at you you too much.)