Ok, so it's been awhile since I posted anything.. not sure if I updated our chicken status lately, but as it turns out, I ended up with 4 roos and 3 pullets out of my mixed batch of 7 bantam chicks! Not a good ratio! And I am so attached to them all, I hate to have to do it, but I have found a home for the two youngest roos. Now that I know that both my speckled sussex and the silver sebrite are roos, it makes sense to me why the other roo boys would not tolerate them. So, now I am faced with the problem of how to say goodbye to two of my sweeties. Poor Robinhood thinks I'm his mama, so I know it's going to be hard on him. (Probably harder on me, though) I do plan on taking some good pics before they go to their new homes. How do you deal with re-homing chickens?
I'm sorry you are in this position. That's really hard. I had to re-home a rooster last year. I was very fortunate that I found a wonderful lady who needed a roo for her flock of hens. She gave him a great home (she even sent me pictures to see him with his new flock ... he looked so proud!) and it really helped me to let go.
Yup - if you can possibly find a home with someone you know that can make it easier. When I had to rehome my gorgeous sweet Edward I found a coworker to take him. Even though she doesn't consider her chickens pets like I do, I know she is humane and caring and I'm sure that he is treated properly. Also, I can get periodic updates, which helps me.
Yes, Robinhood is going to live with a family who lives near where we live now. They have 14 hens, and a few children, and were looking for a gentle, hand-raised roo. Robinhood will be perfect for their little tree farm, plus, he'll be able to free range during the day. Abigail (who I am sure will get a boy name at his new home) is going to live with a young lady who lives near my office. She needs a boy for her girls, and loves sebrites, so I am excited for them both. Now I am in the process of finding a few more pullets for my flock.
I was in the same position as you. I grew attached to the two chickens that turned out to be roos. They were my prettiest ones too! Fortunately, I found them both great homes via Craigslist and here. They are both living a great life and I feel very content knowing this. I love chicks but I'm seriously leaning towards only getting grown hens now to avoid issues like these in the future. It's just too hard on my emotions because I get attached very easily.