hatchaholics - what do YOU do with all the roos?

[greenyardsmith]

Ummm in this economy there are sure to b people who need the meat. ask around put up flyers. I have taken excess to local poultry butcher who charges 1-2 dollars depending on size and even sells me cheap bags 10 cents each. Then I just call friends co workers and ask if they know folks who could use donation couple days before . It's a way to give back and give purpose to my chicken hatching addiction. I also fill my freezer with "leftover" chicks local farmer leaves to die if I dont take. some still have yellow fluff!!! He is factory farmer! I DO NOT APPROVE! but cant stand the waste and cruelty of letting those who are over the truck count starve and thirst to death. Anyways They are meat chicks so I raise semi free range and their health improves overnight. they get great care sunshine and exercise till big enough to eat then fill my freezer and friends and family. I am so glad you are vegatarian but willing to share with those who are not! that is unusual but seems more balanced. Treat chickens with respect and caring but realize their purpose too. Have some special ones tho.

 

[featherz]

Quote:
Yah, it's just my own personal thing. I'm ok if others eat meat and I'd like it if my roos had at least a decent few months, which is better than they'd get at a hatchery. Then they have a quick end, also better than a hatchery. That's a good idea about getting someone else to process them - I looked for something like that the last time I had this problem, but didn't see anything near me. Then I could probably easily give the meat away to friends/coworkers/relatives!

 

[muddstopper]

I find it interesting that someone living on 26 acres would have neighbor problems because of a rooster crowing. Not much of a neighbor if you ask me. My property is unrestricted and I can raise whatever animal I desire, if my neighbors dont like my chickens, then they can MOVE, far, far away, and we will both be happy.

I sell all of my extra roos to the local chicken trader. I sell them just as soon as I can determine the sex as baby chicks. I figure i would rather get 50cents apiece for the chicks as to invest several dollars worth of feed and not get my money back on a ready to eat bird.

It would be a lie to say I sell all the roos as chicks. I will keep some to replace older roos and to sell as pairs and trio's with POL pullets

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Personally, I hatch mostly purebred bantams, so usually finding them homes on Craigslist works out if I'm patient. I'm a vegetarian and do not allow my boys to go anywhere where they might be killed for meat--I feel I owe it to the birds I hatch to make sure they are not butchered and are treated well, whether with me or someone else. Of course they're small bantams (usually OEGB or seramas) so anyone trying to eat them would be silly anyway.

I currently have eight roos, I'm keeping six of them for breeding purposes (seven of the eight were raised together and get along great, #8 has his own separate flock), and the other two are looking for homes. I'd sooner establish a little separate roo colony than let my boys be killed, though. I also advertise my roosters at local feed stores, sometimes on BYC, basically anywhere I can find. My area has lots of 4H kids, so I may go by the 4H office and let them know I have purebred, decent quality roosters for free to any 4Her who would like a friendly, small, cute show bird. Thankfully OEGBs and seramas don't require a lot of room or food, so someone is usually willing to take one or two if I'm persistent.

It depends on how many hens you hatch and how many you want to keep, but sometimes it's better to sell your birds in pairs.

A pair of chickens is going to sell a lot better than a single rooster, especially if the two can be used as a breeding pair.

Also, I don't hatch more than I feel I can handle. I've kept myself pretty well under control so far, though I certainly get tempted! (Who doesn't?) I'm hatching quite a few seramas soon (around twenty), and even if I couldn't find a home for a single one them (which I know is not going to happen) I could reasonably keep them all if needed to.

Anyway, I know my situation doesn't apply to most chicken owners, who really do not want a ton of roos around, have mostly standard breeds, and keep the hens for laying purposes, but that's what works for me. Good luck!

 

[featherz]

I hear ya! It's going to kill me to rehome my roos to someone who will process em, but in this neighborhood I have to be realistic that it may happen..

On the plus side, I did some work today and I think we have plenty of room to house everyone, including a possible 'bachelor pen' for the roos. However, if I get 30 roos I might have to send some away, hopefully in pairs or trios as suggested! We did a test today - hubby went out and fed the guineas grapes to make them squawk and I walked out to the mailbox (near the neighbor). Could not hear a thing. If they can't hear seventeen guineas alarming, we might be safe with a few roos.

I also try to pick 'interesting' breeds so hopefully they will be less tempted to eat them (I know people DO eat silkies, but but but it just seems so wrong!).

As for hatching more than I can handle, I know, I know. Actually, I have been very good - I sold the entire last hatch and most of my guinea hatch, all to farms with loving broody mommies.

The only hatch that was unplanned was the last one of 17 babies (who are the best batch yet! they hop into my lap) - the eggs were almost free so you know how that goes. And from a local seller!

Some of the problem is that I am fairly new to the area, so I don't know all the good stuff yet or any people 'in the know'.

 

[Dirty_South_Chickens]

There is a old Vietnamese man that I work with who loves all my extra roo's

 

[V Comb]

I want to breed chooks soon, and all mine will be in pens, but when/if I get too much roos I would just free roam them on the property I guess, or maybe the neighbours want chicken

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I just found a local woman who will buy all my "unwanted" roos. She doesn't feed her dogs dog food. She purchases meat ends, bones, organ meat and things from some of the local markets and butchers. Her and I were talking and she told me that she'll purchase all my roos that I don't want. She has a friend with a farm who will teach her how to process.

It's a win/win situation for us both.

Laurie