Need help (again) w/Cockerel

[HeatherKellyB]

That boy needs to go to Freezer Camp. No good will come from keeping him.

Thank you for your time and advice. Everyone at BYC has been so incredibly helpful and I can't thank you all enough.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Truthfully he is ruining the whole chicken experience for you. Sometimes I think people with great sensibilities should not get chickens. Wishing won't make any of them nice. People that really love animals can have a very difficult time if a bird does not work out, they even feel guilty, as if it was something they did wrong. It is not. Some birds fit, some do not, once you remove him, you, your kids, and your pullets are going to enjoy this so much more. Once you solve for peace in the flock you will wonder why it took you so long.

Roosters take a great deal of experience. I would not be surprised if the other darling roosters turn mean also in a few weeks. It is difficult for first time people to recognize what rooster behavior means. IMO it is difficult to raise a good rooster in a flock mate flock. They out grow the pullets and are sexually interested long before the girls and generally become bullies.

Try this idea, instead of pets, keep a flock, with the idea that birds move into the flock and out of the flock for the best and peace of the flock. Not every bird will work in your particular flock, even if they were raised together, or are nice as chicks, or get to free range.

IMO cull all the roosters. Wait a year, if then you really want a rooster, look around and find a year old rooster that has been raised in a multi-generational flock. The older hens and possible rooster will school this rooster and raise him up polite in chicken society. People have a hard time doing this as they do not live 24/7 in the coop.

An all hen flock is very nice. And remember, you have tried to give him a good life, just either give him away, or give him one quick difficult moment and solve the problem. If you don't want to eat them, plant a rose bush.

Mrs K

Thank you Mrs. K. I always look forward to reading your replies here on BYC. You always share so much wonderful information that will help in so many aspects of each situation. I agree with everyone here. I have said from the beginning that we are going to have a pullet/hen only flock, if for no other reason than the fact that it's all new to us and a cockerel/rooster will be an extra worry that we don't need. Plus, we wanted to be the owners/keepers of our girls and that's not always possible with a rooster. Like you, I'm sure that once I get rid of them, we'll all be much happier. Even with the older cockerels, it's still in the back of my mind that they might change and turn nasty at any moment. I need to just woman up about this, worry less about the cockerels, and worry more about finding the words to explain this to my daughter and find a way to be rid of them.

 

[keesmom]

I've had someone interested in all of them, but knowing they're headed for a freezer makes it difficult on this weak woman.

It's unfortunate you have to deal with this situation with your first time with chickens, however it is a necessary part of flock management. Unless you want to have to deal with 2 separate flocks, bachelors and layers, then the cockerels have to go somewhere. At least they've had a good life until that one bad day.

 

[Beccazon]

I have 3. All flock mates with all my pullets. I just had a big long thread on this lol.

One finally got separated from the flock because...I wanted to give him a chance at living (they are all 4 1/2 months). I took him out a month ago for mean and nasty and horny behavior.

Shortly thereafter I had to remove a second one. Same thing but I did it before it was as bad as the first one. Mind you, The first one, Lil Bit, was my fave frim day one. That changed.

I decided all 3 needed out while I learned (here on BYC) what to do.

Flash forward...Pride, my well-mannered one is back in the flock and behaving quite nicely. I chose him for behavior and with help from the group here. The other two, as I do not need more than one, go tomorrow morning to a gal down the road who will do the slaughter and cleaning for me for $1.75 a bird. I don't have to have the mess for just these two.

If a cockerel is crappy now, he won't get better. If he is good now he may get crappy. But you are not going to change him for the better and with a youngster, best to relieve yourself of the future issues and keep your one nice one and carry on. Tis farm life...as much as it sux, they cannot all turn out keepers!

Good luck!!

 

[Chickassan]

Let me scare you.
Buff Orphingtons are sloooow to mature.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I would try to find homes for all the cockerels if it were me.

 

[Chickassan]

If you get rid of your cockrels will you be able to have more pullets then?
If so that may be an easy way to get your daughter more on board.
Let her pick out a couple fancy chicks for your girls only club.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm with everyone here who thinks it's time to move these boys on. Next year is soon enough to raise a few more chicks and your hens will do a better job of educating a cockerel in the flock.
The 'friendly' cockerel that your daughter likes might be nice, or bold and sizing you all up, and turn into a jerk at some point. He will have no respect for you as the giant who brings food, and could do real harm, especially to a short person.
Learning cockerel (and hen) behaviors takes time and observation, and often that first year, early signs of aggression aren't understood.
Mary