INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[ShawnaScott]

I just read a thread on here about the best way to kill day old cockerals. Among the popular ideas was gassing with car exhaust, freezing, and pulling the head off.

Maybe I'm just being naive, but that just seems horrible. I know most roosters are raised to die anyway, but it just seems so cruel to kill a day old chick! Especially after the article I read where all the male chicks at the egg hatcheries are ground up alive. The person didn't want the chicks because they "cost" too much in feed and they wouldn't lay eggs. It just seem to me that the cost in life would outweigh the cost of feed.

 

[oldrooster]

Quote:
JRT= Jack Russel Terrier it took me a time or two abbreviated to figure is out. cute little things for ankle biters.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

awesome see you there!



I logged it into my phone calender reminder thing.  See you there.

John

 

[Old Salt 1945]

I just read a thread on here about the best way to kill day old cockerals. Among the popular ideas was gassing with car exhaust, freezing, and pulling the head off.

Maybe I'm just being naive, but that just seems horrible. I know most roosters are raised to die anyway, but it just seems so cruel to kill a day old chick! Especially after the article I read where all the male chicks at the egg hatcheries are ground up alive. The person didn't want the chicks because they "cost" too much in feed and they wouldn't lay eggs. It just seem to me that the cost in life would outweigh the cost of feed.

It is hard to contemplate for the non-farm oriented person. I once watched chicken sexing of day old chicks at a egg farm. The pullets were tossed into trays to go to the brooder. The cockerels were tossed into a 55-gallon drum with a plastic bag in it. I was told that when full, it was taken to a grinder that mixed them in with the chicken feed. The ultimate recycling. That was 35 years ago and I still feel a little twinge when I think about it.

BUT, you gotta remember that it's a business, the chickens are an egg-laying breed, the cocks would find no value as meat chickens, and that the business would fail with the overhead of tens of thousands of roosters and non-productive hens being supported to a ripe old age.

Pets, on the other hand, are different. People can and do afford to provide food and shelter for pet chickens until they die of old age or mishap.

I saw an old cowboy movie years ago. The boy asked the cowboy what his horse's name was. Cowboy said "Doesn't have a name. Won't name something that I might have to eat". Good advice.

John

 

[danand]

CRS- yep! That's what they looked like!! Maybe a bit bigger round. And yes Jack Russel terriers!! My babies!! Spoiled rotten babies!! They didn't seem to mind the bites but I felt awful just looking at them. I did put some cortisone cream on them but they didnt act like they itched. Almost faded away today already!! Guess I'll be doing a little spray on them, they hate that!!

Oh and Oldrooster- mine aren't ankle biters!! Well maybe 1 is!! . But they are great mousers!! And they are very devoted and entertaining!

And what is that little bugger?? Frizzle polish? Soooo cute!!

 

[itsjustme]

I don't even no what to think about that? Wow! I understand its a buisness and all.and you gotta do what you gotta do but sheesh. I had said for the longest time I'm the farm of to many roos. They out numbered my hens horribly. Its not to bad now but I'm still trying to rehome a couple. At 1 time I had 3 jap bantie roos 3 hens, 5 old english roos 2 hens, 6 buff hens 2 roos and of course I bought 4 straight run turkeys and they are all toms. I started a give a chicken program lol someone I no had buff hrns no roos so I gave them 1 of mine. They gave me fertile eggs in return and I now have 8 chicks. Ok so I guess its not much of a program because I done it only once. But I would do it again if someone needed an old english roo or 2. Lol

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I just read a thread on here about the best way to kill day old cockerals. Among the popular ideas was gassing with car exhaust, freezing, and pulling the head off.

Maybe I'm just being naive, but that just seems horrible. I know most roosters are raised to die anyway, but it just seems so cruel to kill a day old chick! Especially after the article I read where all the male chicks at the egg hatcheries are ground up alive. The person didn't want the chicks because they "cost" too much in feed and they wouldn't lay eggs. It just seem to me that the cost in life would outweigh the cost of feed.

I think it is vey cruel how hatcherys kill cockerals. I dont cull, the nly time I kill an chicken(infact any animal) is if they are suffering. I still have a hrd time doing that, but when it is best for the animal it has to be done. I watched a video of he "isposing" of all the day old cockerals, because i coouldnt believe that they would do that. And the video was absolutley terrible. I felt so bad for them, but theres nothing I can do about it. poor chicks.

 

[Too Fast]

Shawnascott, 8x10 equals 80 sq ft. For happy chickens, allow 3.5-4 sq ft per chicken. So, 20-25 max for 80 sq ft. For the run, build it big enough for 10 sq ft per chicken, enclosed for predator protection. Don't forget about attacks from above!

Old Salt, loved your story and pictures of the chickens. Your coop is great looking, but you aren't too good at chicken math, eh? Got a few more than intended. Ducks are fun.


Idymelissande, funny how you say they are starting to smell a bit in the laundry room. Don't forget that the coop needs to be well-ventilated, even in winter. How old are they? Big early waddles means possible roosters. My 10 week old SLW started some pathetic crowing yesterday. He has big waddles and a big rose comb. Full of testosterone, he is.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Hey, I recognize you from the EE Braggers Thread!

Welcome!

IT just dawned on me that you are the owner of that really cute chick that someone (you) keeps posting on the EE Braggers Thread. That chick is so adorable, I forget what you said its(his) name is.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

That's Hika Ma. He's a little cutie! I'm starting to think that he's a SHE, though!