Potential Rooster

[Ebony Rose]

I do not separate my cockerels from the flock. I manage my birds in one flock, brooding the chicks in the coop in full view of the entire flock. By day 3, even if incubator chicks, these little ones are established in the flock and by week 3 they're often being given tidbits by the reigning rooster. Pecking order issues don't arise until much later in their development, and when that time comes, I start making decisions on which birds will be escorted to freezer camp.
I've always been an omnivore, so eating meat comes naturally to me. It's nice knowing where my food comes from, how the animals were treated, what they ate, how they were cared for, and how respectfully they were processed for the dinner table.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

This is a few more pics of the crew. This was from a few days ago.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

Males when they hit the ages 5-6(Some Sooner)months start getting a high surge of hormones, that makes them show offs, start fighting for dominance, breeding hens/pullets, or occasionally being total jerks towards other birds, or people. But every cockerel is an individual, not all are buttheads when they hit puberty. Out of all my roos, only 2 are buttheads.

I figured it would be a while. Hopefully they won’t be buttheads… though I won’t put it past them lol

 

[FBMcrazy8]

I do not separate my cockerels from the flock. I manage my birds in one flock, brooding the chicks in the coop in full view of the entire flock. By day 3, even if incubator chicks, these little ones are established in the flock and by week 3 they're often being given tidbits by the reigning rooster. Pecking order issues don't arise until much later in their development, and when that time comes, I start making decisions on which birds will be escorted to freezer camp.
I've always been an omnivore, so eating meat comes naturally to me. It's nice knowing where my food comes from, how the animals were treated, what they ate, how they were cared for, and how respectfully they were processed for the dinner table.

This is true…knowing what they have had and what they for sure haven’t had in their diet makes a big difference. I just don’t know I could do it. I think I would become too attached. I would probably have to give it to family. I think it would be different if I had a bigger flock and didn’t or wouldn’t name them. Naming them makes it personal…..my son who is 2, already doesn’t like the idea of eating chicken anymore.

 

[MysteryChicken]

This is true…knowing what they have had and what they for sure haven’t had in their diet makes a big difference. I just don’t know I could do it. I think I would become too attached. I would probably have to give it to family. I think it would be different if I had a bigger flock and didn’t or wouldn’t name them. Naming them makes it personal…..my son who is 2, already doesn’t like the idea of eating chicken anymore.

I name pretty much all my birds, even those destined to be eaten. Knowing they lived a happy life, healthy diet, & the fact you're putting food on the table is enough to make it easier to slaughter/butcher them for eating.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

I name pretty much all my birds, even those destined to be eaten. Knowing they lived a happy life, healthy diet, & the fact you're putting food on the table is enough to make it easier to slaughter/butcher them for eating.

Maybe one day I can get to that point. Just the thought right now makes me sad. Though I know one day their egg laying days will be over…

 

[MysteryChicken]

Maybe one day I can get to that point. Just the thought right now makes me sad. Though I know one day their egg laying days will be over…

Mine lay eggs for along time, since they're Heritage type breeds, & not high Production hybrids, or breeds. So they lay until I decide to retire them from breeding for butcher, or certain one's I let live out their old lives as pets.

Right now i have 4 on the butcher list, potentially an extra if she doesn't start laying eggs I can use for hatching. Her's are mostly long skinny torpedoes.

The 4 that are picked out are: 1 Brahma hen, 1 Silkie Rooster, 1 Project Wheaten Crele Orpington hen, 1 Easter Egger Rooster.
The other possible cull will probably be a Malay hen, or I can keep her as strictly a layer though.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

Mine lay eggs for along time, since they're Heritage type breeds, & not high Production hybrids, or breeds. So they lay until I decide to retire them from breeding for butcher, or certain one's I let live out their old lives as pets.

Right now i have 4 on the butcher list, potentially an extra if she doesn't start laying eggs I can use for hatching. Her's are mostly long skinny torpedoes.

The 4 that are picked out are: 1 Brahma hen, 1 Silkie Rooster, 1 Project Wheaten Crele Orpington hen, 1 Easter Egger Rooster.
The other possible cull will probably be a Malay hen, or I can keep her as strictly a layer though.

I know I have a few Easter Eggers but I know they aren’t all are. Until I figure out the breed, I won’t know how long they will lay. Next time I get chicks, I will be more specific but I didn’t know what I wanted and thought that getting the rainbow mix would be good. And I love it because I have a really good variety.

I would probably need to do more than 4 when that day comes. We have such a large family.

 

[Ebony Rose]

This is true…knowing what they have had and what they for sure haven’t had in their diet makes a big difference. I just don’t know I could do it. I think I would become too attached. I would probably have to give it to family. I think it would be different if I had a bigger flock and didn’t or wouldn’t name them. Naming them makes it personal…..my son who is 2, already doesn’t like the idea of eating chicken anymore.

The trick, especially when you have young children, is to name your birds things that humans eat. Omelet. N'Fries. Kay-Ef-Cee (Kentucky Fried Chicken), Quiche, etc. In this way, you can very occasionally remind your child that someday in the future, this beautiful animal will make the ultimate sacrifice for our survival. Now is when to let your kids know where food comes from, and show them that you can eat your livestock AND love them every day until that final, fateful moment when they become dinner.

 

[NatJ]

The one I think is a Roo is so sweet! And feather footed. As soon as I find out what breed it is,

It might be a Black Cochin or a Black Langshan.
Both of those have feathered feet and single combs.

Which hatchery did you get them from? Sometimes looking through the hatchery website can help figure out what breed it is.