How hard is it to get rid of roosters?

[featherz]

I'm a vegetarian, so I put my roos on craigslist if I can't find other homes for them. So far I've been able to find decent homes for all my roos, although I know that may not always be the case and they will end up as dinner for someone. But they will have a good life until then, at least.

 

[angelbabyamy]

I advertise mine on Craigslist for free and have a friend that will take the others if I can't get rid of them. I'm in a rural area and there are always free roosters on Craigslist, also free older hens. I wish I could kill them and eat them- I make my own chicken stock, but can't bring myself to do it!

 

[andalusn]

It's not that I can't process my own or the idea bothers me. It' more the mess it creates and how to dispose of it. I am on acerage so there are no laws saying I can't slaughter on the property. My mother would process chickens we raised growing up and I always had the plucking job. I hated it and with chicken in the store at less than $1.00 / lb I just have not found enough reason to go back to my childhood

and figure out who's gutting and who's plucking.

 

[wood&feathers]

ahh. but do you remember the FLAVOR of those chicken and dumplings? My son says it is almost as good as snapping turtle soup. Nothing makes a good stock like a backyard chicken.

I could never do it the "old way" with the hatchet and blood everywhere, but if you look on the meat bird forum you will discover THE CONE. It is basically the USDA homestead method. Very quick and relatively painless for the butcher. I also pith them since it does indeed make plucking easier. I seldom do more than a couple at once so do not scald etc. Plus I save the feathers for crafts.

Doing an oversexed, rude youngster is no problem for me. But right now I have to suck it up and make some hard choices. I only have 3 mature hens, 7 youngsters coming up, and 2 roosters. Our old guy is such a sweetheart, but not really very good genetics. I have a younger Cuckoo Marans roo who is also shaping up to be a gentleman. Which makes my job harder...I need to get rid of one rooster...

 

[tinychicky]

it kind of depends on the temperment, breed and the quality of the bird. a top quality, friendly, exhibition breed rooster will go very fast if sold at a poultry show or similar place where knowledgable chicken people congregate. on the other hand, a mean random cross breed, isn't likely to be taken by anyone NOT planning to eat him. by about eight weeks, you can be pretty certain of gender, and it's good to sell them as young as possible. young birds are more desirable than old ones. i found homes fairly easily for two cochin X's and a silkie X at poultry swaps and the county fair. they were friendly and young birds, and people who wanted a nice backyard rooster for thier flocks were fine with them. it shouldn't be too hard to find homes for your roosters as long as they aren't mean.

 

[youngbiddy]

http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2006/08/processing-chickens-with-my-son.html

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Roosters are never "too young to eat".

In the contrary, once they reach 10-12 weeks of age they are only good for stew, meat getting to tough for frying or baking.

Just keep your ax sharp and have your pot ready. LOL

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

Quote:
Roosters are never "too young to eat".

In the contrary, once they reach 10-12 weeks of age they are only good for stew, meat getting to tough for frying or baking.

Just keep your ax sharp and have your pot ready. LOL

That certainly isn't my experience. They are just right for me at 10 to 12 weeks making a tender delicious frying bird. 16 weeks is a little tough but nothing a slow roast doesn't take care of. I can eat them baked or even better on the grill (coke butt chicken) up to 6 months old.

Any longer they are great for boiling.

I raise the regular old chickens not the creepy Cornish Crosses so my chickens under 10 weeks old are tiny and quail would have as much meat on them... But, I let my chickens run the yard and eat bugs and grass etc. They may be bigger if I kept them penned up. NOt sure... More advice on what you do to get your dual purpose big enough to eat at 8 to 10 weeks...

 

[sweeterdeeter42]

We take all of our leftover younger roosters to our local swap meet and there is a lady there that buys ALL of the roosters from EVERYONE that will sell them to her. She buys them for her Chinese restaurant. She leaves with hundreds.

 

[3chimama]

Welcome to BYC. I always purchase pullets for that reason...I'm not sure how easy it is to give away roosters. I would try your local paper and craigs list and spread the word! Good luck!