How do you not feel guilty?

[chickencrazy777]

I think males integrate far more easily. They aren't really part of the pecking order (unless there are multiple males). Adding young cockerels to older hens helps teach him manners. It really is an ideal situation for him.

Thank you for this!! Its really putting my mind at ease. He will be the only rooster over there, but they do have drakes I think. Hopefully he does okay!

 

[Aunt Angus]

We have done that too. I felt bad, but he was also awful so I got over that one quickly. I wish I didnt care as much as I do

You just make up for all the heartless jerks in the world.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you for this!! Its really putting my mind at ease. He will be the only rooster over there, but they do have drakes I think. Hopefully he does okay!

I rehomed a cockerel to a similar situation. He is living a great life. He turned out to be a great rooster and flock master, and I KNOW it's because those hens put him in his place.

 

[chickencrazy777]

I rehomed a cockerel to a similar situation. He is living a great life. He turned out to be a great rooster and flock master, and I KNOW it's because those hens put him in his place.

Aww that makes me so happy!! I hope the same happens here. She just told me her whole flock is built off rescues, so I think he could fit in pretty quick. He will make beautiful babies too

 

[3KillerBs]

I deliberately buy/hatch more chicks than I intend to keep -- knowing from day 1 that I'm going to sell half or more of them and eat the boys who don't sell.

I care for them and find them highly entertaining, but they are livestock, not pets.

 

[chickencrazy777]

I deliberately buy/hatch more chicks than I intend to keep -- knowing from day 1 that I'm going to sell half or more of them and eat the boys who don't sell.

I care for them and find them highly entertaining, but they are livestock, not pets.

Teach me your ways! a friend hatched 12 eggs for me and I got 6 boys. Looks like they all got new homes. If i had a large property I think itd be easier to eat the boys, knowing they lived well before the crock pot!

 

[3KillerBs]

Teach me your ways! a friend hatched 12 eggs for me and I got 6 boys. Looks like they all got new homes. If i had a large property I think itd be easier to eat the boys, knowing they lived well before the crock pot!

I am not naturally a particularly sentimental person.

But I do give all males a chance on Craigslist before I put them in the freezer. Sometimes they sell, sometimes they don't.

 

[Mrs. K]

I stop watching them, interacting with them. I feed and water them, but do not spend any time with them. Step one is deciding who goes, step two is to distance yourself.

This is not heartless or anything to feel guilty about, this is good animal husbandry. What there is to feel guilty is to keep too many roosters that are causing strife and bodily injury, or are just too many for the space or flock you have. Just wishing they would be nice instead of doing something about it is what people should feel guilty about.

Mrs K

 

[triciayoung]

How do you get over feeling guilty about rehoming birds? Cant keep the rooster and found him a good home. Might send some girls with him to make it easier, but worried since theyre silkies her (full size) flock will hurt them. Would he adjust being the only silkie in a flock of regular hens? Better to send pairs? She wants the silkie roo to start breeding, will eventually have satins in her flock. Why is this so hard?

I understand how you feel. Did you tell the person you rehomed to that you were worried about the full size girls hurting him? Perhaps it would be easier if you told the rehome person to contact you if this becomes an issue.

 

[Brizi]

I see this is from a few weeks ago, but...

If you're rehoming a chicken to someone who is taking proper care of them, you shouldn't feel guilty. We recently rehomed a cockerel. We left him with some super nice people that live on a big property, and they take great care of their birds. He'll have tons of girlfriends. If he was with us, he'd only have a few ladies. We know they'll take great care of him, and that's all that matters!