Reporter seeking to interview people with "surprise roosters"

[kbrulliard]

Hi,

My name is Karin Brulliard, and I'm a reporter for the Washington Post who focuses on animal-related issues. I've written a few articles about backyard chickens, and now I'm working on a story about an issue I've frequently heard about while reporting those: unexpected roosters.

I'm looking to talk to people who have recently (within the past two years) had chicks they believed were hens but that turned out to be roosters. I'm particularly interested in talking to folks who had to give up the rooster -- whether because of local ordinances, unhappy neighbors, or flock strife. I'd also love to hear from you if you have a rooster in a place where it's not allowed and how you manage that -- with a collar? Battling local officials to change the law? Finally, I'd also like to speak to people who decided that the best solution was...rooster for dinner. (How did you prepare it? How did it taste?)

You can message me via Backyard Chickens or email me at work: [email protected]. Thanks for your time. I'm looking forward to hearing about your experiences!

**Note: This query was approved by the site owner.**

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I have all hens so we I’m not the person you’re looking for

 

[lomine]

This is just a suggestion so please don't be offended. If you are going to write an article I believe you should use the correct terminology.

Pullet - female chicken under one year of age
Hen - female chicken over the age of one year
Cockerel - male chicken under one year of age
Rooster - male chicken over the age of one year

I actually moved to the country to keep my rooster after hiding him in the suburbs. I'm kidding, sort of, there were a lot of other reasons for moving but he did push up my timetable.

 

[Quik1th]

No cockerels yet...good luck on your article.

 

[RodNTN]

I have had many chicks that have turned out to be roosters. I usually keep them all, with the exception of aggressive roosters. Roosters that have grown up together get along much better.
I have had to rehome a rooster before, he was extremely troublesome. And am going to be rehoming a couple more this month.
Since I have raised all of my roosters from little babies, it is difficult, but is much easier for me and the rest of the flock that I do so.

 

[RWise]

I raise my own so I get about 50% cockceral/roosters, they taste like ,, well,, chicken. How I prepare them depends on age, older gets boiled.
But I also have strays come up, 2 at this time need a home.

 

[aart]

If you are going to write an article I believe you should use the correct terminology.
Pullet - female chicken under one year of age
Hen - female chicken over the age of one year
Cockerel - male chicken under one year of age
Rooster Cock or Cockbird- male chicken over the age of one year

Agrees, except correction...but folks don't like to say/write that word.

Sounds like article may mostly be about people keeping chickens for pets with benefits fad rather than primarily for food as I do. I hatch new chicks every year, and slaughter extra cockerels at 13-16 weeks old(can put them on the grill and use bones for stock). Older hens get slaughtered late summer/fall. They get sold or eaten by me fit for stewing only. They are all delicious but not your grocery or Cornish Cross chicken.
You can message me if you want to know more.
ETA: Read a couple of your chicken articles, good job.

 

[kbrulliard]

This is just a suggestion so please don't be offended. If you are going to write an article I believe you should use the correct terminology.

Pullet - female chicken under one year of age
Hen - female chicken over the age of one year
Cockerel - male chicken under one year of age
Rooster - male chicken over the age of one year

I actually moved to the country to keep my rooster after hiding him in the suburbs. I'm kidding, sort of, there were a lot of other reasons for moving but he did push up my timetable.

Fair point, and thanks!

 

[Redhead Rae]

I would suggest looking in the What Breed Or Gender is This? Forum. There are a lot of folks there who have had problems with getting cockerels that were supposed to be pullets. You can PM the original posters to ask if they wouldn't mind being interviewed or having the story on their thread in a news paper article.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I know @7chickma had to give up two cockerels.