I've Had It!! Killing Roosters When I Get Home

[n8ivetxn]

I've tried to think of the birds as "livestock" - here to produce something life-sustaining. But, at the same time, I try to provide a good quality of life for them - and they can stay around for quite a while as long as they behave. But, I've gotten to the point in chicken-ranching that if I don't start culling, I'll have a bunch of non-productive free-loaders!

- And, it just makes me mad when they act like that

, raping and pillaging, while I've provided nothing short of a luxurious life for them.... ungrateful punks.

 

[n8ivetxn]

And I realize by saying those things, I'm completely humanizing them

 

[chickmama1662]

I had this same conversation with my husband this morning. We have 2 too many roos ourselves and it seems all they do is take turns on the poor hens. Gang rape is what I call it. I'm trying to hurry up and get another run built before I give up and reach for the axe. I have an Andulasian roo who loves to play hide and go seek with me around the tree. If I forget to take a stick with me when I go out in the yard, he tries to get me every time. Chicken keeping is not supposed to be like this. Must be time to practice my plucking skills.

 

[flowerchic]

At what age does the testosterone kick in?? I bought what I thought was 6 pullets, but ended up with 4 cockerels. They are 3 mos and 2 weeks. For now things are good, just slight bickering. Can't even say I have a dominate yet. What are some of the signs??

 

[n8ivetxn]

I think the testosterone kicks in about 6-8 months, but mine didn't get aggressive until they were almost a year old. I guess it took time to build up the blood supply.

You may not notice who's dominate, unless they have a group of hens to pester. Then you'll find out. The dominant roo will be the one who mates most often, sometimes the only one to mate - he may not allow the other roos a chance.

Mine don't fight amongst themselves, some do....

BTW, I love Dripping Springs - such a beautiful place

, I miss home

 

[bj taylor]

my two guys are just getting to the age when they are starting to think about it, but can't quite get the guts to really jump on somebody yet. i don't have anough girls for 2 roosters & i know that means trouble. i understand they are worse when showing off for the other guy. i'm hoping when i send one to live with a friend, the other one will be a good all-a-round rooster.
i also understand their 'teen-age' time is the worst, then they settle down. i'm hoping my 'teen-age' time is short.

 

[ELauraD]

I've always loved animals, never thought I would be able to kill anything, but those roosters make me so mad and my poor hens don't deserve it. I have no love for roosters. Can't believe how hard I've become, lol! They were lucky I had to go to work or every single one of them would be in my refrigerator right now. Still going to kill the Marans when I get home and possible the BLRW. He is a nice boy though, just doesn't treat the hens with as much respect as I would like. My Marans is a pretty boy from Bev Davis lines, that's why I kept him, but my daughter freaks out if he gets near her when she visits because he tried to flog her about a month ago and my neighbor carries a stick with her if she comes over. Can you get sued if your rooster hurts someone? lol!

I have to say, this is too, too funny! I am definitely not having roosters. Period.

 

[ELauraD]

And I realize by saying those things, I'm completely humanizing them

We really need a like button. You are soo funny.

 

[donrae]

Mean Roosters Taste Better



And you can't ever really tell if they'll take a mind to flog you. I've rarely ever had problems with my roosters. I have a pen of bantam cochins, one roo with three hens and two 3 week old chicks currently. The roo is about 1 1/2 years old, so well settled down. He's the treat daddy, always calls the girls, always nice to them, never given me a problem or looked twice at me. This am I was in the pen feeding and gathering eggs, exactly like every other morning. I always move slowly, esp since there are chicks in the pen, no problems. I was stepping out the door when he hit the back of my legs! I wanted to laugh, cause he's so little, but I knew that was a challenge and I had to be the victor. We went round that pen, the poor hens and babies trying to keep out of our way. I felt bad for them and for him, but I knew I couldn't back down. I stayed pretty calm but kept kicking at him. At one point I thought I was going to have to kill him, but then he backed off. I chased him around the pen for another minute or so until he was actively avoiding me. Then I just hung out there for a while, moving around like I was feeding and gathering eggs. Poor guy just stayed in the corner. I shouldn't feel sorry for him I know, but that didn't keep me from kicking his butt. I'd hate to have to do him in, he's been so great, but if he challenges me again he's a goner.


I don't think there is much meat on a bantam cochin. Lots of feathers, not much meat.

 

[KeilFamilyFarm]

N8iveTxn:
Where in the PNW are you located? We are a Navy family farming in Tahuya/Belfair, Wa
Thanks for your service!