Need some support I guess

[cottontail farm]

I just came in from culling a really nice young rooster and feel terrible about it. He was a year old Easter eagger who was absolutely beautiful, perfectly polite to me and the kids and was being taught (by his dad) how to be a good roo with the ladies. BUT he was driving my elderly pet rooster nuts, pecking and mounting poor Nigel to the point where Nigel could not eat, roost or leave the coop. This has gone on for weeks. Nigel seems so depressed at this point I was afraid he would literally die. I didn't know what else to do and "rehoming" a rooster (the Easter egger) around here just means someone else was going to kill him.
These choices really, really stink sometimes. I just needed to vent I guess.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I just came in from culling a really nice young rooster and feel terrible about it. He was a year old Easter eagger who was absolutely beautiful, perfectly polite to me and the kids and was being taught (by his dad) how to be a good roo with the ladies. BUT he was driving my elderly pet rooster nuts, pecking and mounting poor Nigel to the point where Nigel could not eat, roost or leave the coop. This has gone on for weeks. Nigel seems so depressed at this point I was afraid he would literally die. I didn't know what else to do and "rehoming" a rooster (the Easter egger) around here just means someone else was going to kill him.
These choices really, really stink sometimes. I just needed to vent I guess.

Yes, that is sad. I feel bad for you and the situation.

 

[chicksandchores]

Culling is never fun, to the point that I keep putting off culling a terrible rooster with the hopes that I can "fix" him. I feel there were probably other options, but you did what you thought was best and there's nothing wrong with that. Just remember that you have vastly improved your elderly roo's quality of life by making the choice you did, and try not to feel so terrible about it. I had to cull a very young pullet due to an unknown illness (not cocci or marek's; I had just treated for cocci after some bouts of diarrhea and have never had marek's in my flock, plus not the symptoms of it) and I did a terrible job; I chose to slit the carotid rather than beheading or cervical dislocation and my knife wasn't sharp enough, I hadn't any experience and I hadn't seen any videos. I ended up scarring myself mentally. It made it easier for me though because she was one of my black sexlinks, who have never been tame, and when I got her off the roost she never made a sound whereas one of them that was feeling well would have certainly squawked and made a fuss. She never made a noise the entire time I was trying to cull her either. You've just got to find something comforting (improving your old boy's quality of life) and let it outweigh the bad parts.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Culling is never fun, to the point that I keep putting off culling a terrible rooster with the hopes that I can "fix" him.

Hard to fix some roosters, and if he's a terrible rooster then it's time for freezer camp. Roosters are a dime a dozen and you can't keep them all. Keep the cream of your crop and eat the rest.

 

[cottontail farm]

A poor cull is a terrible thing you never forget. Sorry that happened to you, I think it happens to everyone once. I can cull quickly, he had a great life and we'll eat him this week but, sheesh, I wish that hadn't happened.
Nigel is beyond miserable and completely demoralized at this point. He sleeps with his head under his wing, in a tight spot where he could hide from the yonger roo. I probably should have done this weeks ago. Nigel and the EE's dad have always been perfectly friendly with each other and I guess I was hoping it would eventually blow over. it didn't.
So I can learn from this, what other options did you see?

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[chicksandchores]

I might have considered a small bachelor pad for one of the roos, either the EE or Nigel. Possibly separating the young EE from the flock for a few weeks using see-no-touch would have helped him calm down a little bit and realize that Nigel was not a threat to him, however considering that he did grow up around him I'm not sure that would have worked either. This will probably turn out better for poor Nigel anyhow; how old is he by the way? And what breed? It would be great to have a roo that was so laid back he could be considered a pet.

A poor cull is a terrible thing you never forget. Sorry that happened to you, I think it happens to everyone once. I can cull quickly, he had a great life and we'll eat him this week but, sheesh, I wish that hadn't happened.
Nigel is beyond miserable and completely demoralized at this point. He sleeps with his head under his wing, in a tight spot where he could hide from the yonger roo. I probably should have done this weeks ago. Nigel and the EE's dad have always been perfectly friendly with each other and I guess I was hoping it would eventually blow over. it didn't.
So I can learn from this, what other options did you see?

 

[cottontail farm]

Nigel is about 5, a Brahma mix I got off of craigslist. I adore him. He's great with his hens and so gentle that I can ruffle his butt feathers as he walks past, which is hilarious. He makes adorable babies and has a little group of red ranger hens he runs with.

 

[Mrs. K]

Always solve for the peace of your flock. It is tough to do, but it is one of the most important aspects of responsible chicken husbandry. Leaving them both, will cause a lot of tension in the entire flock. You did the right thing. Being the grown up is tough.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

These choices really, really stink sometimes. I just needed to vent I guess.

Flock management makes for some tough choices.

I likely would have done the same thing... including learning from this to take action sooner.

I cull anyone.. (including hens) who constantly insist on mounting a subordinate. At least his life won't be a waste.

Hope your old guy recovers quickly!