I bought "pullets" from my local rural king and 4 out of 14 turned out to be roosters. I dont know if i can eat fertalized eggs and my coop is not set up for seperation. I have no problem "getting rid" of chickens (i raised and butchered 100 broilers 2 years ago) but idk if i can actually butcher these 4. They are turning out to be very pretty birds. Any thoughts? I dont know anyone else into chickens so giving them away is really not an option. So my flock consists of 4 new hampshire red roosters, 5 New Hampshire red pullets, 2 new jersey black pullets, 2 amberlink pullets and 1 unknown pullet.
New Hampshire reds
- Thread starter Bandmn
- Start date
Eating fertilized eggs are no different than unfertilized eggs. Just get them right after laying. You may have fights when the 4 cockerels mature. I've heard it's easier to butcher after having to separate fights.
You could also house the boys in a chicken tractor. Best wishes.
You could also house the boys in a chicken tractor. Best wishes.
TheTwoRoos
Crowing
- Sep 25, 2015
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You can eat fertile eggs it’s no different,unless there is the right heat source warming the eggs that’s the only way it will begin turn into chick.
- Thread starter
- #6
If you do not need fertilized eggs to hatch,
let alone not wanting to eat fertilized eggs,
there is no reason to have any males in your flock.
Eat the males, you'll just have to push thru the 'pretty' part,
and not expect them to taste, feel, or cook like a broiler bird.
Or you could put them on craigslist, or what ever selling venues you have available,
someone will eat them.
let alone not wanting to eat fertilized eggs,
there is no reason to have any males in your flock.
Eat the males, you'll just have to push thru the 'pretty' part,
and not expect them to taste, feel, or cook like a broiler bird.
Or you could put them on craigslist, or what ever selling venues you have available,
someone will eat them.
People have been eating fertilized eggs ever since they started to eat eggs with no ill effects because of the fertilized part. As long as you don't incubate them, they will not develop. Some people even market "fertile eggs" as if there is some health benefit to them, but there really isn't. As long as you don't incubate them there is no difference in unfertilized eggs.
I agree the only way you need a male in your flock is if you want fertilized eggs. One of your options is to eat them. They will not have nearly the meat of a broiler and if you wait until they put on some meat you may need to change your cooking methods. The older they get the tougher the meat gets. If you are not familiar with this you might start a new thread asking how to cook dual purpose cockerels of a certain age.
Since you mentioned Rural King I assume you are in the US. You can advertise those cockerels on Craigslist or maybe LetGo, trying to sell them or just give them away free. Your feed store might let you post a sign on a bulletin board. If you can find your State thread n the "Where am I? Where are you section!" you can chat with neighbors about that. There may be a chicken swap or auction near you but practice good biosecurity if you visit one of those.
Good luck!
I agree the only way you need a male in your flock is if you want fertilized eggs. One of your options is to eat them. They will not have nearly the meat of a broiler and if you wait until they put on some meat you may need to change your cooking methods. The older they get the tougher the meat gets. If you are not familiar with this you might start a new thread asking how to cook dual purpose cockerels of a certain age.
Since you mentioned Rural King I assume you are in the US. You can advertise those cockerels on Craigslist or maybe LetGo, trying to sell them or just give them away free. Your feed store might let you post a sign on a bulletin board. If you can find your State thread n the "Where am I? Where are you section!" you can chat with neighbors about that. There may be a chicken swap or auction near you but practice good biosecurity if you visit one of those.
Good luck!
A local poultry club, or the extension agent is another way to connect with other people that have chickens.
I agree, get rid of all of them. Roosters raised with just flock mates often become bullies, and the 4 of them will hit puberty long before the pullets and the flock behavior will be pretty wild with 4 roosters chasing any and everything they can catch. 4 roosters will be very hard on your pullets.
You do not have to eat them, you can just bury them or dispose of them as you want. I don't think that there would be much meat in them, and it will not be like meat chickens.
Mrs K
I agree, get rid of all of them. Roosters raised with just flock mates often become bullies, and the 4 of them will hit puberty long before the pullets and the flock behavior will be pretty wild with 4 roosters chasing any and everything they can catch. 4 roosters will be very hard on your pullets.
You do not have to eat them, you can just bury them or dispose of them as you want. I don't think that there would be much meat in them, and it will not be like meat chickens.
Mrs K
As long as you pick up your eggs daily it'll never matter if eggs are fertilized or not. Fertilized eggs look and taste just like unfertilized eggs.
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