I'm not sure I am cut out for this.

[b.hromada]

Thats a good option for you. Have them sexed, and you should just end up with pullets. Best of luck to you. And I think its wonderful you have such a big heart.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Just think about how HAPPY Bunny Chick will be and that should help ease the hurt.

 

[al6517]

These are the things one must think of before starting a flock, sentiment can ruin a otherwise good plan, it is a fact of life if you want to manage your flock properly. If this is going to be a problem then you will have to keep all of these Roosters forever, I think your DH may be the voice of reason in this whole matter, just be happy that he has the fortitude to do it and leave it at that, problem solved.

AL

 

[Hazelnut]

There is no such thing as being too tenderhearted. Your feelings are your own and you shouldn't feel that it's a weakness in any way. (I am also a tenderhearted type). I also had an "accidental rooster" and I live in an urban neighborhood and had to rehome him. Then, several of my pullets started looking like possible roos and I just lost it, and started thinking that I will NEVER EVER get chicks again if it means that there will always be the possibility that I will get roosters again and have to go through all of the emotional stuff again! I think if I ever want to get more, I will get them when they are adult or sex-linked so there is less risk.

But ...then I started thinking about it another way. Being an accidental rooster is actually a GOOD thing! It means that in the hatchery world, he has a much, much greater chance of having a good life for a rooster.

 

[ColoradoMike]

We got five chicks in April, and I fear 2 are roosters. We have no intention of keeping any roos, they're not allowed by ordinance and I have no desire for either a crowing at dawn or fertile eggs - just our preference. On the other hand, I thought it was an opportunity for us to truly locally source more of our food, and would have no qualms about getting those (presumed) roos into our freezer. Unfortunately, the wife said NO.

"Rehoming" through the feed store sounds like a recipe for chicken stew for the feedstore clerk.

It helps in our situation that the two suspects are SOBs anyway and want nothing to do with us. The three girls are eating our of our hand and our barred rock will jump up and take raspberries out of my fingers

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
I've had chickens for years. It is just a good part of flock management but it still bothers me when I have to part with some but I can't keep Forty 11 roosters as my Dad use to say!!! I look at it like this I have helped someone feed their family when I know they are going to their freezer camp or mine.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
I've had chickens for years. It is just a good part of flock management but it still bothers me when I have to part with some but I can't keep Forty 11 roosters as my Dad use to say!!! I look at it like this I have helped someone feed their family when I know they are going to their freezer camp or mine.

Well said, my point exactly.

AL

 

[Heavy D]

Had three hens and one turned out to be a cockerel....about broke my daughters heart to give him away as we could not have a roo in the city limits.....now mind you these are pets for us and have raised them as such just for eggs as you have....it was hard...very hard...but a member told me here that I should have prepared myself for these issues as that is just flock management....I felt put off by that comment and got angry, but now after a few days it has really all worked out for the best. It has made me more focused on my girls I have, and their happiness..which is really what your after...think about how happy your girls are going to be.....YOU CAN DO THIS !!!! Your flock will thank you with many years of joy, excitement and of course more trials.....all the joy of having chickens.
Go home to your girls and give them a little treat...they will be thrilled to see you !!!!

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Sometimes this forum gets to me when I see people that I think clearly have gone over the top. While watching the PBS "History of the Chicken", I almost barfed when watching the woman with the silkie. She called it her soulmate. If you ask me she needs a psychologist. Which is exactly why I refuse to name my chickens. I ordered all pullets from Ideal and that's what I got.

 

[goldeneggtees]

To each his own. We are all raised differently with differing opinions about animals. If "I'mnewtothis" is feeling bad, who are we to question those feelings? Besides which I would be sad as well. I'm working on naming all my pullets one by one. Currently, there is Mrs. Cuddlesworth, Baby bad wings, Large Marge, Buffy, Randi (with an i), Big Red. Still working on the last two as it's kinda hard to tell them apart. They look like the Bobbsey twins. Hey, I might be onto something.