Rooster Rejection Experiences?

[ClareScifi]

I know what you mean. We have 6 acres, but I'm sure the complaints will start one of these days. My neighbor said maybe he could build a coop right over by the sound wall near the loud, busy highway. He thinks that might help muffle the sound of their crowing, and I think it would. My SO thinks it would intensify it. I'm not sure which theory is right? It is farther from the neighbors there, so I tend to think it would make their crowing softer, but he thinks the sound wall would magnify it. Worth a try, anyway?

 

[BWKatz]

You don't mention if these are breeder stock. I was very fortunate with my 4 roosters.One was BCM and 2 were Ameraucanas.It took awhile and I was ready to take out the stew pot when I found the second home and I did give them away with the right to use for stud service if I change my mind later.I did keep my Silkie roo because he is so docile and not a loud crower. If they had been hatchery I'm sure they would have ended up in the pot. I went to a state poultry meeting and also Craig's list and BYC forum auction to find homes. Best of luck.

 

[cubalaya]

i think extra roosters should be culled. either killed for the freezer or sold. we sell some of them with a hen and call them breeding pairs. i think a rooster would be very unhappy living by himself while hens were nearby. people that would dump a rooster out are the same ones dumping dogs and cats in rural areas.

 

[ClareScifi]

Oooh, a state poultry meeting is a great idea. Where do you find out about those and when they are scheduled? Is there a national web site?

I haven't gotten a single call from Craigslist. Which section of Craigslist did you post it on? I think maybe I posted mine in too specific an area that most people don't think to look at?

I have gotten 2 calls from a young boy who claims he has hens (from another local classifieds list), but when I ask to talk with his father, he puts me off and says his father will call me when he gets home from work, but the father never does, and the kid doesn't leave his phone number. He did tell me where he lives, the general area, not too far away, but I am suspicious. I told him I'd need to check his set-up for a rooster, and that seems to make him nervous. I don't think roosters are allowed in his town, and I don't want to give one to someone who has to give it back when the neighbors complain...

What is the BYC forum auction like?

Do you think a rooster would be unhappy living by himself at night, as long as he was able to play with the hens during the day? My boy who has been raised by himself due to almost having been pecked to death by his StepMama and half-brother seems to love having his roost to himself during the evenings and then being with the hens during the day.

 

[keesmom]

Oooh, a state poultry meeting is a great idea. Where do you find out about those and when they are scheduled? Is there a national web site?

I haven't gotten a single call from Craigslist. Which section of Craigslist did you post it on? I think maybe I posted mine in too specific an area that most people don't think to look at?

I have gotten 2 calls from a young boy who claims he has hens (from another local classifieds list), but when I ask to talk with his father, he puts me off and says his father will call me when he gets home from work, but the father never does, and the kid doesn't leave his phone number. He did tell me where he lives, the general area, not too far away, but I am suspicious. I told him I'd need to check his set-up for a rooster, and that seems to make him nervous. I don't think roosters are allowed in his town, and I don't want to give one to someone who has to give it back when the neighbors complain...

What is the BYC forum auction like?

Do you think a rooster would be unhappy living by himself at night, as long as he was able to play with the hens during the day? My boy who has been raised by himself due to almost having been pecked to death by his StepMama and half-brother seems to love having his roost to himself during the evenings and then being with the hens during the day.

Personally, I would be nervous about a stranger off of Craigslist insisting on coming to my house to "check things out". I rarely use Craigslist, but if I do I always meet in a public place to buy/sell. It also keeps other poultry owners, and any potential illnesses, away from my flock.

It is not easy to find pet homes for roosters, even the pure bred ones. Mixed breeds are even tougher.

I also wouldn't keep a rooster, or a hen, alone. Chickens need flock mates.

 

[ClareScifi]

My boy was raised alone. I tried introducing flock mates, but he didn't like them. He was relieved when I took them back out. I think they only need flock mates if they are raised with others and the others die. If they are raised as only chicks, it's a different situation. I was raised as an only child. You hear all the stereotypes about only children, too, but they just aren't true. I love being alone. I don't really enjoy being in groups.

 

[ClareScifi]

And there's no way I'd just give a chicken away to a stranger without being able to see how they care for their chickens and if they really even have chickens, as they claim, or if they are zoned for roosters (grandfathered in). There are too many imposters and posers out there just wanting chiciken stew. I asked the first person who called for his address and phone number. I'm sure he was part of a cockfighting operation. Sure enough, he made up a bogus address and phone number! He had claimed the address was his farm and that he raised bunnies and horses. The second caller had no problem with me bringing my rooster over, and I got to see her set-up and see that my rooster didn't like the pavers in her backyard. He slid and skidded on them. I have to look out for the chickens' best interests.