How do y'all manage to not get attached to your roosters? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!

[EmmaRainboe]

I don't get attached to chicks, for one... I still handle them and take care of them with the assumption that I'll be keeping them, but we don't even name them until 2 weeks. After that I keep an eye out for any evidence of a chick being a boy. After a few weeks, when they're pretty clearly girls, that's when I start to relax and think of them as "mine."

That's pretty smart when I first got chicks I told myself I wasn't gonna name them so I didn't get attached.... The moment I saw them I couldnt help myself.... They were not named for one minute then we had Blue, Nugget, Feathers, Fluffy, and Peeps.... and every batch of chicks we got after I did the same..... Next time I'm gonna try to resist till I know who's a boy and who's not. Names just make you love them even more.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Next time I'm gonna try to resist till I know who's a boy and who's not. Names just make you love them even more.

Most definitely. Now they're just "little black chick" or "bigger grey chick" until they're older.

My first batch of chicks, I lost 2 (1 to accident, 1 was a cockerel). After that we decided to not name chicks early and to assume they're all male, so any girls we get are a good surprise. Though we haven't gotten a cockerel since the first one... I'd like to think between getting vent sexed chicks and my being picky about chicks when we go to get them (I'm one of those customers at the feed store going "I don't want a friendly one! Grab the skittish one!") that that'll help avoid getting another boy.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Most definitely. Now they're just "little black chick" or "bigger grey chick" until they're older.

My first batch of chicks, I lost 2 (1 to accident, 1 was a cockerel). After that we decided to not name chicks early and to assume they're all male, so any girls we get are a good surprise. Though we haven't gotten a cockerel since the first one... I'd like to think between getting vent sexed chicks and my being picky about chicks when we go to get them (I'm one of those customers at the feed store going "I don't want a friendly one! Grab the skittish one!") that that'll help avoid getting another boy.

That makes a lot of sense

 

[3KillerBs]

My chickens are all given food names. The current flock is Omelet, Dumpling, Popcorn, Picata, Chipotle, Cordon, and Teriyaki. This is a subtle reminder that they are livestock, not pets.

After eating a rooster it dawns on me, they are dinner not family.

Well said.

An annoying cockerel makes delicious chicken-and-rice. A retired laying hen makes the best chicken and dumplings on earth.

 

[bikerchix]

its harder with the hens, i think because they are around longer. so far my roosters have all grown up to be obnoxious to the hens so its easier to send them to freezer camp. hubby still has to do the actual killing though.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Get Old English Game bantams. They are typically more aggressive than other breeds and in my opinion have an annoying crow. When they attack you every time you turn your back it is easier to be rid of them.

All jokes aside, it is fine to attatched. Love can be a weakness, but it is also a great strength. Love those roosters, and don't be ashamed to cry over them.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Same. I have a much harder time culling hens, even ones I can't use for breeding or eggs I have a hard time culling

 

[HappyDuckie]

Get Old English Game bantams. They are typically more aggressive than other breeds and in my opinion have an annoying crow. When they attack you every time you turn your back it is easier to be rid of them.

All jokes aside, it is fine to attatched. Love can be a weakness, but it is also a great strength. Love those roosters, and don't be ashamed to cry over them.

Not all OEGBs are like that. Mines a sweetie. I'm training him to fly on my arm when I call him.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Not all OEGBs are like that. Mines a sweetie. I'm training him to fly on my arm when I call him.

True! I would like to get a nice one someday. Finn was not a nice one even after I worked consistently with him for a year.

What methods do you use with your roosters, duckiemum?

 

[HappyDuckie]

True! I would like to get a nice one someday. Finn was not a nice one even after I worked consistently with him for a year.

What methods do you use with your roosters, duckiemum?

Well, part of him being nice probably has to do with him sleeping in my bed when he was a chick, lol. I had gotten a bunch of cornish x, and my little guy, and he was so small the heat lamp wouldn't reach him. My other ones I pretty much just ignore (except for my silkie roo, hes a good boy too)- if you pretend they aren't there, they don't do anything (in my experience). I do have one that has been getting on my nerves, though. He's taken to liking my favorite hen, and shes the only one hes ever mated with. Any time he sees me petting or feeding her by hand, he'll wait till I leave the coop and go jump on her. Every time. Whenever he does it, I run over and "peck" him with my fingers, or just shove him off her, then chase him out of the coop. Works for me, and I haven't ever had any problems with cockerels or roosters.