Need Help! Want to double-check re saddle feathers on roos before I cull :(

[lmpeebles]

Hello All,

First time chicken (and duck) keeper - I was sent way more from the hatchery than I ordered, all straight run, all hatchery's choice on breed. So I currently have 3 ducks (1 boy 2 girls, definitely), and 12 chooks. They are now 21 weeks old. Nobody's started laying and I'm starting to think the reason is that they are almost ALL roosters.

I live in a duplex with my sister-in-law and her family below us. They and my DH all are pressuring me to cull a few because there's just too many for us to handle and my little darlings are starting to crow in the morning a bit too early (although this morning, at 3am, it was the ducks causing the problem). I've only witnessed two of them crowing so I really only have two 100% confirmed roosters.

My plan has been, all along, to keep all the hens and one rooster, and so I've been waiting for everyone to confirm for me what they are, as it seems like the sexing stuff is waaaay too complicated for a newbie like me!

But, I've done a lot of reading on sexing and it seems from the BYC that long, pointing-down saddle feathers are a tale-tell sign of roosters. Well, that's pretty much the case for all of my chooks, which serves me right for getting a straight run! Live and learn...

Uggh! Anyway, I'm a little stressed. I definitely do not have any intention of trying to force a bunch of roosters and a couple of hens to live together harmoniously. I'm all about culling and using the extraneous roos for meat (well, I'm not happy about it, but I know it's the right thing to do). Problem is I don't think I'll be allowed to wait until I can be 100% crow-positive!

Will y'all take a look at these pics and confirm I'm doing the right thing please????!! Don't worry, you can tell it to me straight; I am resigned to the likelihood they almost all have to go

Pic 1 - I believe both of these are Roos

Pic 2 - Roo

Pic 3 - Roo

Pic 4 - Roo

Pic 5 - Not positive about one in foreground - saddle feathers aren't as pronounced so my fingers are still crossed??? Guy in the middle is confirmed Roo.

Pic 6 - This is the only other confirmed Roo, Likely. I plan on keeping him as he's shown himself to be very gentle and is definitely top dog.

 

[Kelsie2290]

They are all roos you mentioned, sorry.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

They're all boys, bummer. If you were closer, I'd take that guy in front in your first picture. He's lovely!

 

[lmpeebles]

Thanks much for confirming! This is not going to be a very nice weekend

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree. Sorry. In #4 &#5 it's not so much the saddle/hackle feathers but the tail feathers are curling.

 

[Kraftcrazychick]

Have you considered re-homing the extras?

 

[lmpeebles]

@Kraftcrazychick yes that would definitely be an option - there's a local urban farm that would take the roosters, they've said. But I kind of went into this planning on having to do some culling and wanting this to be a long-term pastime. The only way for me personally to afford it is to inevitably have to cull sometimes. Just wasn't counting on getting so attached.

But it's alright, I've had a little self-pity party today and am ready to face it this weekend! On the plus side, I do really like roast chicken...

 

[keesmom]

Having that many cockerels will probably drive you crazy soon with the crowing and squabbling. The hatchery sure sent you a lot of chicken dinners! The process may not be easy but the results are well worth it.

 

[lmpeebles]

So we culled all 8 extraneous roosters yesterday. First time culling for me and wow, what an emotional day that was! I would definitely put yesterday up there with one of the hardest days I've had, ever - from a mental and physical perspective. From start to finish, it took us 7 hours. Whew! And then when I closed my eyes last night (after imbibing a few glasses of, I think, well-earned wine), all I could see was feathers being plucked and chicken innards.

All I can say is what is obvious to many - animal stewardship is HARD. But I feel like I did the most responsible thing, and it is nice to look at the remaining 4 chickens and 3 ducks and know that the flock is healthier for it (9 roosters to 3 hens - not exactly a sustainable ratio!). It was also nice to only have one rooster crowing this morning rather than 9! That said, next time I might pay the nearby urban farm the measly $2 per bird to cull them for me and return the meat to me. That was a lot of work for something I've seen them do in about 2 minutes!

Oh, and thanks to all for confirming their bachelorhood! All culled chickens were affirmatively roosters, I saw their little "beans".

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

For what its worth, the more you do it, the faster you get at it. That being said, if I had someone close that would process for $2 a bird, I'd drop them off in a heartbeat!