Help. How do I get my hen to stop crowing?

[Luckylarson]

That's the spirit, check feed store's or Craigslist in the spring or you can look uphatcheries although if you only want a few, many hatcheries won't ship less than 15. I think cackle hatchery may ship as few as 6, but I'll have to check.
Edit, cacklehatchery.com has a 3 chicks minimum
They are one of the best hatcheries there is in terms of quality and health.

I know Murray McMurray will do 6. We order from them a lot.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd look for started pullets, if you want to jump ahead to the laying part, since you already spent a lot of time raising these boys. I'd also look at how to tell the difference between pullets and cockerels (like the feather shape and growth, and colors) so you don't get some unscrupulous seller ripping you off. Some breeds are hard to tell even as they mature (like Silkies), but your males are very obviously male.

As far as what to do with them, hopefully your nephew will offer to take them back or have suggestions that would apply to you locally. Around here, there's a few farms that will take unwanted cockerels as dinner donations, or you may have a raptor rescue that would be happy for some meals for their charges. Or you can try putting up ads at your local feed store (one of mine kept a "rooster rehoming" list) and see if you can find them new homes, but depending on your area, that may be tough, if roosters are not allowed anywhere near you.

 

[Rooster Hens Organic]

We actually had our rooster "decrowed" by a neighbor who is a veterinarian, he did the same surgery on his own rooster as well. Basically they make an incision in the chicken's syrinx (voice box) after giving them some anesthesia. It has worked like a charm and our rooster is totally quiet since the surgery, and otherwise completely healthy. Rooster Hens and Organic Gardening

 

[Nanci McFarland]

I'd look for started pullets, if you want to jump ahead to the laying part, since you already spent a lot of time raising these boys. I'd also look at how to tell the difference between pullets and cockerels (like the feather shape and growth, and colors) so you don't get some unscrupulous seller ripping you off. Some breeds are hard to tell even as they mature (like Silkies), but your males are very obviously male.

As far as what to do with them, hopefully your nephew will offer to take them back or have suggestions that would apply to you locally. Around here, there's a few farms that will take unwanted cockerels as dinner donations, or you may have a raptor rescue that would be happy for some meals for their charges. Or you can try putting up ads at your local feed store (one of mine kept a "rooster rehoming" list) and see if you can find them new homes, but depending on your area, that may be tough, if roosters are not allowed anywhere near you.

My nephew will take them back and give us at least one hen. I got them when they were 6 weeks old. Kind of hard to tell at that age, I think.

 

[Nanci McFarland]

The local feed store did have a name of a person who takes in roosters. I am not sure if they re-home or cook them. She has not returned my message yet but it is nice to know that there is an option like this.

 

[ShrekDawg]

You could also try posting in your state thread and may find someone near you that would take them or who has pullets. I will try to find a link for you. So sorry you ended up with all boys!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

My nephew will take them back and give us at least one hen. I got them when they were 6 weeks old. Kind of hard to tell at that age, I think.

Good to hear! I'd see if I could convince him to part with at least 2, as you can't have a flock of 1.

The local feed store did have a name of a person who takes in roosters. I am not sure if they re-home or cook them. She has not returned my message yet but it is nice to know that there is an option like this.

I know most folks don't like to think about their cockerels being eaten, but unfortunately the reality is it is very difficult to find forever homes for them in many areas. In suburban areas, they're simply illegal, and in rural areas, most people usually already have plenty of their own and don't need more. Best of luck moving forward!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Here is the list of state threads

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

 

[3KillerBs]

unfortunately the reality is it is very difficult to find forever homes for them in many areas.

Yes.

I wrote an article for a local paper on how to decide if backyard chickens were for you and included the necessity of an "oops rooster" plan, nothing that "finding him a forever pet home" is rarely a realistic option.

 

[black_cat]

Unfortunately all of your chickens appear to be mixed breed cockerels. I also agree that it will be very difficult to find homes for them.