Official BYC Poll: What do you do with your roosters?

[Jowsi002]

For any rooster, I have certain qualities I look for at 5mo, I’ll keep the best then the rest we butcher. I wouldn’t mind giving them away but because I’m ok with butchering, I’d rather save homes looking for roosters for those who want theirs to go to a pet home. I would only sell if it’s pure and standard bred to help out someone else’s flock.

 

[Equi_Liz]

We butcher them as well. However at the moment we are raising them to put out into the horse fields, we have new coops built in each field for them to sleep, about 10-15 per field we will have to add some hens of course to keep them happy. They will peck and spread the manure, and eat any pests like ticks and worms, the goats eat the weeds that no one else will, once the weeds die they give out nitrogen in the soil which encourages the grass to grow and our horses mow the grass. We have donkeys to keep all of the predators away from the little guys as well. Once we have all of our stock built we will be selling and eating them more.

 

[Stefrrr]

We butcher them as well. However at the moment we are raising them to put out into the horse fields, we have new coops built in each field for them to sleep, about 10-15 per field we will have to add some hens of course to keep them happy. They will peck and spread the manure, and eat any pests like ticks and worms, the goats eat the weeds that no one else will, once the weeds die they give out nitrogen in the soil which encourages the grass to grow and our horses mow the grass. We have donkeys to keep all of the predators away from the little guys as well. Once we have all of our stock built we will be selling and eating them more.

Do you supplement their feed or just let them forage?

 

[Equi_Liz]

Do you supplement their feed or just let them forage?

We will let them forage. They will also be eating leftover grain from the horses and the horses will have it passing through their poop as well. Now we will have crushed eggshell and vitamins in their coops if need be. We will watch their health over all it each group will have just over 5acres to roam

 

[Folly's place]

They should have feed available! Foraging, they won't eat as much, but still should have feed.
And a safe coop for night time.
Mary

 

[Equi_Liz]

They should have feed available! Foraging, they won't eat as much, but still should have feed.
And a safe coop for night time.
Mary

They do have a safe coop, the horse cannot get in either, and we have all kinds of reflective objects and things to ward away predators. I’ll have to mention them still having feed full time to my neighbor. They are her chickens I am just leading the projects that pertain to the field rotations. I know of a few good spots I have designated for vitamins and extra supplements they may need I can redo them into feeding areas.

 

[feather13]

We butcher them as well. However at the moment we are raising them to put out into the horse fields, we have new coops built in each field for them to sleep, about 10-15 per field we will have to add some hens of course to keep them happy. They will peck and spread the manure, and eat any pests like ticks and worms, the goats eat the weeds that no one else will, once the weeds die they give out nitrogen in the soil which encourages the grass to grow and our horses mow the grass. We have donkeys to keep all of the predators away from the little guys as well. Once we have all of our stock built we will be selling and eating them more.

So jealous! We live in suburban LA, but I would love to have that much space for goats, chickens, and horses! It sounds like you have a great ecosystem set up there.

 

[Equi_Liz]

So jealous! We live in suburban LA, but I would love to have that much space for goats, chickens, and horses! It sounds like you have a great ecosystem set up there.

thank you, it may be possible for you guys eventually too, I’ve been blessed to have these opportunities available for me early on. Hoping to turn everything into a business with the neighbors in the next year

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

I sell some keep some.

 

[feather13]

thank you, it may be possible for you guys eventually too, I’ve been blessed to have these opportunities available for me early on. Hoping to turn everything into a business with the neighbors in the next year

I hope so! I grew up in a really rural Midwestern place, but work brought me here. I'm grateful to have a yard full of three hens and twelve chicks (some of whom may be roosters), but hope eventually to find myself in a rural area again. Good luck with your business and glad you have awesome neighbors!