How do you rehome extra roosters?

[Lebijourouge]

We have some really nice cockerels maturing right now, bought them from a reputable NPIP breeder, they are very typey and correct, and have wonderful gentle dispositions.

We ended up with 5 cockerels and just one pullet when we ordered chicks, unfortunately. Two of the cockerels have beak issues and are destined for the soup pot this fall, this I know. The other three are just sooo nice, breaks my heart to think no one could use them and they are going to end up in the freezer. Just seems like a waste.

I've tried selling them on craigslist, and I've tried three different Facebook groups.

It's been three weeks of trying to sell and no luck. Is there a better outlet out there for placing roosters or does everyone just eat their extras, no matter how nice? We just don't have the room for more than one rooster unfortunately...

 

[Mrs. K]

If there is a local poultry club, or 4-H kids, there might be someone who would like to try a rooster. I always suggest when you want your first rooster, to get one from someone in your position, just so darn nice, that the soup pot has been delayed.

However, extra roosters are most often in the pot, yours or someone elses.

 

[donrae]

Unfortunately, lots of nice roosters get eaten every year.

This forum has state threads under the Social section, something like Where am I, Where are you? find your state thread and post some good pics of your birds, someone may take them. Depending on the breed, there are also breed specific threads under the General Breed Discussion and FAQ, you might post them there. Some folks are looking for correct breeder cockerels, but it's not too often.

 

[keesmom]

If you are really determined to find them homes you could put them in a bachelor pad for now. Of course you may have to wait a long time to place them. It sounds like you plan on breeding. In that case you will end up having to butcher nice males sooner or later,

I really can't think of any reliable outlets for excess cockerels. I was having a tough enough time trying to place extra pullets around here, let alone the males, so I gave up. All extra birds now go to the freezer.