Keeping Roos when you're not supposed to

[Hugz21]

My local council says no roosters (in coops built after 2014). I've searched and searched and can't find the penalty for having roosters when you're not supposed to. I suspect (and have put a post on the gender/breed threads) that 3 out of 5 of our birds are roosters. I knew going in that I may have some roosters in the mix, and tried not to become attached, but i'm totally attached to all of them. It's going to break mine and my kids hearts to surrender the roosters - going from 5 to possibly 2. How bad is it to keep them? Has anyone else gone against the ordinance and got away with it? Is it worth it? What would you do?

 

[Willowspirit]

I would prepare to give up the roos. If they give you the option to rehome them you will probably have to find a home quickly. Worst case is that they will be PTS. Not a good situation!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Depends on what lesson you want to teach your children.
Young Roo’s are very personable, that changes with hormones & maturity. They will crow.
I would recommend rehoming or process them or give them to someone who would process them.
It’s spring time you’ll find sexed chicks ready so you won’t be in the same spot again.
It’s hard.
People who have chickens for pets often don’t know what they’re doing and well....were probably like me I picked ALL roosters and one hen! So I feel for your situation. I had prepared ahead of time to have a friend cull them. Perhaps you can find someone to help you, gotta ask around.
I hope it all works out for you. Best wishes

 

[HenHouse4Life]

3 of 5 are cockerels? Unless you have more birds in other flocks you would have to give some up anyway, unless you make a bachelor pad. However since you technically cannot have boys I would rehome the boys and replace with auto sexed pullets.
Not worth the risk in my opinon. If you do something you're not supposed to and you do it anyway you'll become a target for others to watch you...... as my mother would've said.

 

[Hugz21]

It’s spring time you’ll find sexed chicks ready so you won’t be in the same spot again.

I'm in Australia - it's Autumn here

 

[Hugz21]

The backyard breeder I purchased the chicks from said she'd take the boys back, so what to do with the cockerels isn't the problem.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

The backyard breeder I purchased the chicks from said she'd take the boys back, so what to do with the cockerels isn't the problem.

You're very lucky in that sense.

 

[TXchickmum]

Eight years ago when we got chicks, two bantams turned out to be roos. We loved them. We thought the city ordinance prohibited "loud crowing or nuisance noise" per reading. Not wanting to disturb the neighbors, we carted the two indoors at 4:30 each morning and let them crow up a storm in our laundry room (as we sat in the living room drinking morning coffee). It was hilarious! -took them back out at about 6:00 to join the flock. That worked fine for a few months until they decided to crow off and on throughout the day. -had to re-home. The little squeaky crows early in the morning became full-on crows throughout the day. -not worth a citation from the city. -and three of five being roos, as a previous poster stated, would definitely be an issue anyway. If the individual from which you purchased them is willing to take them back, then I would return them (although difficult due to attachment which I completely understand).

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Honestly I wouldn’t keep them if you’re not allowed to. I did it twice and both times the health department lady showed up at my door being a *bleep*.

 

[Hugz21]

My 2 daughters with their beloved Magenta. We had "the talk" that Magenta and Violet are boys and that we are not allowed to have boys - only girls. I've contacted the breeder and will arrange to remove the 2 definitely not girls to a new home/be culled.