Looking For Options in Neutering Rooster - Long Island, NY

[Calthechicken]

Good Morning,
My wife and I started a flock of six chicks this summer. Despite our farm store's assurances, one of these lovely ladies is a dude. Unlike many posters we are not looking for a high efficiency laying flock, but rather for bit of tick management, some eggs, and feathery pets. Our chickens all have names, and Diana is now officially Achilles. We appreciate the benefits of a rooster in a flock, and are trying to keep him (without ending up with an ever expanding flock).

Does anyone know anyone that could either caponize Achilles or get him a vasectomy? I've called around to a few vets and none of them do it. Ironically, one even said the surgery was too risky. I understand their concern, but if we can't find a way to stop the flock from growing then Achilles is toast anyway.

 

[Wezdin]

Hi, you will not get more chickens unless you want to. The rooster simply fertilizes the eggs, nothing more. The eggs then either have to be put in an incubator or sat on by a hen for 21 days. If you collect eggs daily or don't have any broody hens there is no way you will get baby chicks. In my opinion i see no reason at all to castrate your rooster. Hope this helps!

 

[Calthechicken]

Thanks for your response! We were under the impression that some rogue eggs in the brush-pile would hatch. Our chickens don't free-range consistently so I don't think that will be a problem.

 

[FortCluck]

Good Morning,
My wife and I started a flock of six chicks this summer. Despite our farm store's assurances, one of these lovely ladies is a dude. Unlike many posters we are not looking for a high efficiency laying flock, but rather for bit of tick management, some eggs, and feathery pets. Our chickens all have names, and Diana is now officially Achilles. We appreciate the benefits of a rooster in a flock, and are trying to keep him (without ending up with an ever expanding flock).

Does anyone know anyone that could either caponize Achilles or get him a vasectomy? I've called around to a few vets and none of them do it. Ironically, one even said the surgery was too risky. I understand their concern, but if we can't find a way to stop the flock from growing then Achilles is toast anyway.

The flock won't grow unless you allow the eggs to be under a broody or incubator. I have two roosters, I've never had my flock grow. Fertilized eggs taste the same and look the same as regular unfertilized eggs.

 

[FortCluck]

Thanks for your response! We were under the impression that some rogue eggs in the brush-pile would hatch. Our chickens don't free-range consistently so I don't think that will be a problem.

A broody hen would have to be sitting on the nest for them to hatch.