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My Hobby is Becoming a Nightmare!

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by AthamGI, Jul 16, 2008.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 16, 2008 #1
    AthamGI

    AthamGI In the Brooder

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    I take good care of my chickens, and I enjoy raising them. Now, I have 70 chickens, but now after four years of breeding, I have more roosters than hens! I don't know what to do. I've tried giving them away to good homes, but no one really wants roosters. And then they all started killing hens, starting with my little silkie hen and my old Buff Orp. I seperated the bad roosters from the hens, and even went to the extreme of leaving them out all night, but nothing has happened to them. The only rooster that has been killed by predetors was one of the gentle ones that I wanted to keep.

    And, even worse, out of the twenty five chicks that hatched this year, six of them have started crowing!

    What can I do to fix this problem?
     
  2. Jul 16, 2008 #2
    fullhouse

    fullhouse Songster

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    Very simple, don't let them hatch eggs, get rid of some (if not all) roos.
     
  3. Jul 16, 2008 #3
    ncgnance

    ncgnance Songster

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    Do you have an axe, hatchet, or gun?? Roos are pretty good eating if you get them before 20 weeks old. Everyone is giving them away, so that won't work. I think slaughtering them is the most humane thing to do, for you and the hens.
     
  4. Jul 16, 2008 #4
    Cuban Longtails

    Cuban Longtails Flock Mistress

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    I eat my extras. [​IMG] Slow cook the older ones in a crock pot, delicious!
     
  5. Jul 16, 2008 #5
    pips&peeps

    pips&peeps There is no "I" in Ameraucana

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    Cull some birds or gather them up and take them in for processing if you cannot do it. Even if they are older you can use them for stewing.
     
  6. Jul 16, 2008 #6
    ThreeBoysChicks

    ThreeBoysChicks Songster

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    Advertise the Roos on Craigslist or Local Paper. Are you opposed to them going for meat? I don't want to start a arguement with anyone, but unfortunately in most livestock, the extra boys are the ones that are eatten. If you are willing to eat them, perhaps you can find someone who will process them for you.
     
  7. Jul 16, 2008 #7
    rooster0209

    rooster0209 Songster

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    North Dakota
    Butcher and sell as stewing birds...just a thought

    Or a fried chicken picnic



    I would need to have someone else buther for me, i couldnt do it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2008
  8. Jul 16, 2008 #8
    robinaggie

    robinaggie Flew the Coop

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    You can't keep that many roosters. If you can't give them away, you can take them to a processor who can prepare them for your freezer.

    If you know of anyone who processes their own chickens, they might be happy to have your roosters.
     
  9. Jul 16, 2008 #9
    pdsavage

    pdsavage Sussex Monarch

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    Contact your local/close livestock auction see if they have a small animal sales,roos sell for a decent price.
     

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