Re-homing advice (Black Copper Maran cockerels)

[lavenderforluck]

We have three beautiful Black Copper Maran cockerels who were hatched in September who are getting ready for their own flocks. They free range and have been raised on non-GMO feed. Does anyone have advice on finding them good homes? I recognize re-homing roosters can be tough as not everyone is looking for roosters. We are located near Richmond, VA and consistently posted on Craigslist but haven’t had any takers. I’ve been keeping my eye out for swaps as well. Currently listed for $10 each to avoid people taking them just because they’re free, we want to make sure they go to a good home. Thanks for any advice!

 

[DobieLover]

We have three beautiful Black Copper Maran cockerels who were hatched in September who are getting ready for their own flocks. They free range and have been raised on non-GMO feed. Does anyone have advice on finding them good homes? I recognize re-homing roosters can be tough as not everyone is looking for roosters. We are located near Richmond, VA and consistently posted on Craigslist but haven’t had any takers. I’ve been keeping my eye out for swaps as well. Currently listed for $10 each to avoid people taking them just because they’re free, we want to make sure they go to a good home. Thanks for any advice!

I've rehomed 7 cockerels.
You are right. It takes time.
My first recommendation is to take better pictures. Try to pose them in front of a nice background and in sunlight to show off the sheen in their feathers.
This is the first guy I rehomed.

I asked $5. That is enough to keep the people who wanted freezer contents away. When I finally found someone that wanted my boys for flock roosters, I refused the money when they tried to pay. I was just grateful they wanted to give him a good home and that was enough for me.
I also joined three different FB Poultry groups and posted ads there too. Every one of my boys has gone on to be flock roosters, breeder roosters or pets.
I'm still in contact with three of the people who took my boys.
Good luck rehoming!

 

[Aapomp831]

Do you have the Nextdoor app? It’s like a Facebook for the community, I’m pretty sure all states have it. Try advertising on there!
Oh, and btw the correct pronunciation is Marans, even if you’re talking about a single chicken. One single cockerel would be a black copper Marans

 

[lavenderforluck]

I've rehomed 7 cockerels.
You are right. It takes time.
My first recommendation is to take better pictures. Try to pose them in front of a nice background and in sunlight to show off the sheen in their feathers.
This is the first guy I rehomed.
View attachment 2456908

I asked $5. That is enough to keep the people who wanted freezer contents away. When I finally found someone that wanted my boys for flock roosters, I refused the money when they tried to pay. I was just grateful they wanted to give him a good home and that was enough for me.
I also joined three different FB Poultry groups and posted ads there too. Every one of my boys has gone on to be flock roosters, breeder roosters or pets.
I'm still in contact with three of the people who took my boys.
Good luck rehoming!

I really appreciate your response, it makes me hopeful for our boys! I will join more local groups and continue posting as well as take better photographs of them.

 

[Dephora]

I agree with the advice to take better pictures. Lets be honest, people generally want roosters so they can have fertile eggs. So they won't get a rooster that doesn't look like he would make pretty babies. That can mean having to hold on to a rooster until he starts looking like the kind of rooster people want chicks from.

 

[Allthefloofs]

I rehomed our accidental rooster through this site. I posted in my state thread and found a guy who wanted ours for breeding, I also didn't ask anything, I was happy he was going to a place he would be able to be a rooster and do all the rooster things. I also tried in my local FB groups too. Just have to be careful about discussing the money and keep all the talk of money to PMs or FB can close the group.

 

[lavenderforluck]

I updated our Craigslist post to focus on one of the roosters, Wyatt and include a better image. Thanks everyone for your advice!

https://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/d/sandston-meet-wyatt-young-black-copper/7250534903.html

 

[lavenderforluck]

I rehomed our accidental rooster through this site. I posted in my state thread and found a guy who wanted ours for breeding, I also didn't ask anything, I was happy he was going to a place he would be able to be a rooster and do all the rooster things. I also tried in my local FB groups too. Just have to be careful about discussing the money and keep all the talk of money to PMs or FB can close the group.

That is so nice that you were able to successfully re-home your rooster! I can check out our local threads on here as well.

 

[Allthefloofs]

That is so nice that you were able to successfully re-home your rooster! I can check out our local threads on here as well.

It turned out so well! We even got some videos so my kids were not so sad. We had ordered a pullet and got a cockerel and we are in a place that they aren't legal. Good luck! We did drive him a couple hours south, but it was worth it for him to go to a good place to someone who was obviously going to take great care of him.

 

[lavenderforluck]

It turned out so well! We even got some videos so my kids were not so sad. We had ordered a pullet and got a cockerel and we are in a place that they aren't legal. Good luck! We did drive him a couple hours south, but it was worth it for him to go to a good place to someone who was obviously going to take great care of him.

Absolutely - it is so great to hear success stories! I'd love someone who would send pictures and videos. We would deliver him regionally as well - I'm confident we will find someone for these boys, it might just take some time!