My 5 weeks old cochin... roo or pullet?

[Pucca]

I called a veterinarian specialist in exotic birds, with very good reviews and he said to me that is very improbable they don't make it trough the surgery. He said that the rate is less than 1%... ! So there we go. We have an appointment on may 15th.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Wouldn’t be better to find him a home where cockerels are allowed

 

[Pucca]

Wouldn’t be better to find him a home where cockerels are allowed

I don't know there but here in spain they are a piece of meat. I don't want anyone to eat them. This birds have only known my appartment since they hatched and they are pretty happy. I feed them with corn, bugs, mealworms, veggies... and they can take sunbaths I have a space where I put my clothes to dry, where they can go outside when the sun get out.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I don't know there but here in spain they are a piece of meat. I don't want anyone to eat them. This birds have only known my appartment since they hatched and they are pretty happy. I feed them with corn, bugs, mealworms, veggies... and they can take sunbaths I have a space where I put my clothes to dry, where they can go outside when the sun get out.

I'm glad you want to keep him and give him the best life... I would improve his diet, if he makes it through the surgery. I'd offer him pellets. Also, does he have grit available? with all that hard to digest stuff?

 

[Pucca]

I'm glad you want to keep him and give him the best life... I would improve his diet, if he makes it through the surgery. I'd offer him pellets. Also, does he have grit available? with all that hard to digest stuff?

Yes they have a tupper inside full of fine grit and they love it. I began giving them baby chick pellets their first week of life and now I'm mixing it with the things i wrote before and some laying hen pellets, and rice too.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Yes they have a tupper inside full of fine grit and they love it. I began giving them baby chick pellets their first week of life and now I'm mixing it with the things i wrote before and some laying hen pellets, and rice too.

Cooked rice only, I hope.
And you should never feed laying pellets until a pullet is laying. There's too much calcium in that feed, especially for growing chicks and especially for cockerels who will never need it. I would switch to an all flock feed, and tone back the treats.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

He sure is a beautiful boy! Did you purchase him as a sexed 'pullet' or straight run?

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Yes, I agree with everyone, definitely switch to a better diet.

I really would not recommend neutering him, if you really care about him you'll see how dangerous that surgery would be.

If you really want to keep him but are worried about his crow, maybe try a no crow collar?

Honestly though, I would at least look into finding him a new home. I know that you stated where you live, people mostly eat them. However I'm sure that there has to be another person out there who would be willing to keep him as a pet.

 

[Pucca]

He sure is a beautiful boy! Did you purchase him as a sexed 'pullet' or straight run?

Sexed... a "supposed" female

 

[cleoandtheflock]

When are you going to the vet?