Having a hard time

[Didi84]

My husband and his friend just butchered our roosters. I am having a hard time with it how do you get over it.

 

[Jetblack2004]

Well... if your cockerels are gone, maybe you should think about getting some hens.
Hens are a lot friendlier than cockerels. Look around on the internet for hens for sale. Maybe do research on different breeds.
Think about how much more useful hens are. They will lay you eggs!

If you were very attached to your cockerels I can understand it must be hard. But it's best to leave the past behind us and move forward. Getting some hens will make you feel a lot better about things!

-Jet

 

[Didi84]

I have 11 hens. I was attached to them but they attacked my son for no reason

 

[Jetblack2004]

Sorry, the cockerels or the hens?

 

[theoldchick]

Think of your son. You did nothing wrong with the roosters-they are what they are. You could not have prevented the kind of temperament the roosters have. With time you will realize butchering the roosters was the correct thing to do. Much better than dealing with an injured son. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Didi84]

Sorry, the cockerels or the hens?

The roosters

 

[itsasmallfarm]

As a hunter who hunts birds.

it was not fun to butcher our meat birds it was hard. Just had to deal with the fact they where CX so it was the humane thing to do.

 

[keesmom]

It isn't easy but you did what absolutely had to be done.

You had 7 cockerels and only 11 pullets. That isn't a workable situation no matter how much space they have. They were already injuring the pullets. On top of that 2 cockerels went after your son.

You did what was best for your son and your pullets. They will be far happier with the cockerels gone.

 

[andreanar]

I had a hard time too when we did our 2 cockerals, even tho they were mean and attacked my sister will tremendous viciousness. I have never hurt an animal purposely in my life. I had a few hard to get to sleep nights. But I kept telling myself, chickens are food and they weren't wasted and they didn't go to another home where they could injure another person or child. I eventually got over it. So will you. Be patient with yourself.

 

[Hawgfan]

I butchered my first cockerel this weekend. This was all part of the plan. I purchased extra males, with the intent of culling some for meat, and keeping what I view as the best one for breeding. As a hunter and fisherman, I've dispatched and processed many animals. As I expected, that part didn't bother me at all. I didn't expect to have any reservations whatsoever, but surprisingly, I did. What gave me a bit of pause was actually making the decision that today is the day. Once I was confident that now is the time to begin culling birds that I've put so much care into, the rest came naturally. I'm now excited to cook and eat it. I'm really hoping a lifetime of only eating commercially available chicken hasn't totally ruined my ability to appreciate the difference. I suspect a good experience in the kitchen will make to whole process even easier next time.