How to cull a rooster when you don't want too?

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

How do you bring yourself to cull a rooster because you have too many?

I have let my Silkies breed and produce cute little fluffy things but I know I will have too many roosters, so after trying to sell them with no response, how do you bring yourself to cull a rooster that you keep just because you can't bring yourself to do the cull?
I would never treat my chickens bad and always feed and care for every one of them, rooster or not, but I don't want to keep roosters in a seperate bachelor coop. I admit I already have a cockerel separate in another coop because he looks good so I have kept him and given him some pullets for company but I have a young 9 week old that I know I will not want to breed with and he isn't a unique colour so I have been trying to sell him. Do I give him a few more weeks up for sale or do I cull? And if cull, how do I bring myself to cull it?
I have only killed one chicken in my life when she was very sick and I tried everything to help her, she was near dead so I ended her suffering poor girl, I was so upset about doing it but knew I had to do it to end her pain. So how on earth would I kill a perfectly healthy chicken!? And just because I don't want it? I feel so bad! How can I kill him if he doesn't sell? How do I bring myself to do it!? Is it better to do it young or just allow him to grow up a little more and live out his little life?

 

[KingD]

If you don't want to, then don't do it. Try selling it.
Do you have a local friend that can do it for you?

 

[theoldchick]

Build a bachelor pen and let them live or give them away.

 

[Chookchicken]

You could try and sell him for a few more weeks, and if in the end you need to cull him and you can’t bring yourself to do it you can see if you have a friend who will do it for you or pay someone (that’s what I do if I need to cull a chicken because I can’t bring myself to do it).

 

[MissE]

You might have an easier time selling him if you also sell a couple hens with him as a small starter flock. Sometimes free works well too. I see free rooster quite frequently on Craig's list, especially in the fall. They don't last long. Some become chicken dinner, some become pets, some replace a mean rooster, and others get to be the flock protector.

 

[aart]

Is there an Asian population near you?
I hear that silkie meat is a delicacy...and they may take them 'on the hoof'.

 

[Duckbreeder2020]

How do you bring yourself to cull a rooster because you have too many?

I have let my Silkies breed and produce cute little fluffy things but I know I will have too many roosters, so after trying to sell them with no response, how do you bring yourself to cull a rooster that you keep just because you can't bring yourself to do the cull?
I would never treat my chickens bad and always feed and care for every one of them, rooster or not, but I don't want to keep roosters in a seperate bachelor coop. I admit I already have a cockerel separate in another coop because he looks good so I have kept him and given him some pullets for company but I have a young 9 week old that I know I will not want to breed with and he isn't a unique colour so I have been trying to sell him. Do I give him a few more weeks up for sale or do I cull? And if cull, how do I bring myself to cull it?
I have only killed one chicken in my life when she was very sick and I tried everything to help her, she was near dead so I ended her suffering poor girl, I was so upset about doing it but knew I had to do it to end her pain. So how on earth would I kill a perfectly healthy chicken!? And just because I don't want it? I feel so bad! How can I kill him if he doesn't sell? How do I bring myself to do it!? Is it better to do it young or just allow him to grow up a little more and live out his little life?

Hi! Your far away from me but would you be willing to ship? I’ve been looking for a Silkie rooster forever

 

[bobbi-j]

If he needs to go, I would say the sooner the better before you get more attached. I would also recommend that you don’t allow your hens to hatch out any more babies unless you have a solid plan before you let them set as to how you’re going to deal with excess males.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Hi! Your far away from me but would you be willing to ship? I’ve been looking for a Silkie rooster forever

Sorry but your just a little far away from Australia by the looks of it unfortunately.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

If he needs to go, I would say the sooner the better before you get more attached. I would also recommend that you don’t allow your hens to hatch out any more babies unless you have a solid plan before you let them set as to how you’re going to deal with excess males.

Last Spring I easily sold all males within a day or 2 of listing. So I thought it would be the same this year. This year other local people are selling Silkies so there's more competition.