Rooster went bye-bye

[nwgirl]

Well I knew the day would come. I told myself when dh and I adopted chicks that if we ended up with a rooster that we would rehome him since city ordinances don't allow roosters. I posted on bulletin boards, craigslist, and feed stores, but instead he went to live with a distant family member who has a bird farm about a two hour drive from us.

I've never seen anything like it. There were numerous emus which are kind of scary actually, geese, ducks, guineas, pigeons, peacocks and 50 chickens. There are just a ton of birds everywhere you look. Some birds were running free and some were kept in runs and others in what I can only describe as open air coops. I asked about food and water and was told because of rodents they only feed twice a day. There was no grass to munch on and the only water in the run was a pool for collecting rain water, but it was green! As soon my roo flew off my shoulder I started to cry and felt so bad that he was no longer going to be raised the way he was used to, and that I took him away from the girls he's known forever.

I realize it may seem trivial to many people, but I'm sad about it even though I'm extremely thankful he's not going to be a potpie. Regardless, I hate having to give him up. I know eventually it will become easier, but right now I have been going through the Kleenex and feel like someone just died.

On a more positive note, I got to own a rooster for a short time. At 12 weeks old he was crowing so proudly which was music to my ears, plus I was told that when my roo breeds with a hen that I can have one of his pullets, which I think is really kewl.

Here is a photo I took of Goldie the day before he went bye-bye...

 

[jadeflower999]

I'm sorry you had to get rid of him! Sometimes I wish that cities didn't have those ordinances that say no roosters. I mean how much worse are they than barking dogs? My neighbors dogs bark non-stop and they're perfectly legal of course. I'd rather hear a rooster any day than that! I'm sorry you had to give him up, I'm sending a hug your way

 

[damselfish]

Sorry to hear you had to give him up, but you did the best you could.

 

[Lotje]

I know the feeling! In the end they're 'just chickens', but man it's always rough to give them up. It's actually silly how many demands I have for the new homes of our chicks. I even ask them to send me a picture once in a while, to keep me posted about their development.

I had a potential buyer for my 8 weeks old bantam roo a few weeks ago, but the man only had big, grown up pullets and a big roo. I decided he couldn't go there, all by himself between all those big chickens who would bully him.. he told me his plan was to get some bantam ladies in the future, but I just couldn't bear the fact that this little fella was going to sit there all by himself. It's always sad when they have to leave all by themselves.

Anyway, sounds like your roo won't have it bad over there, just give it some time.

He'll be fine! Maybe you could ask his new owner to keep you posted? Helps me a lot!

 

[speckledhen]

I understand completely. I've had a hitch in my stomach when I watched birds being driven away from here. I wish I could keep them all.

 

[DDRanch]

Oh, he is a beauty and obviously well loved. I am sorry you had to give him up.

 

[Danceswithchicks]

If you like roosters, get a capon. They don't crow and they are good with people. Sorry that you lost a friend.

 

[nwgirl]

Thank y'all for your kind words.

Dh's cousin called to say the rooster is doing good. I guess all the hens are curious about him. Some have jumped the 4 foot fence to check him out. The first night there he stayed in a fenced off area with two silkies. It just so happened it was the first time he experienced thunder and lightening too. I hope the silkies let him snuggle up with them.

I try not to think about it otherwise I'd have to drive up there and bring him home. Then he'd have to spend nights in the house, which I don't think would make for a very happy rooster.

My dh suggested looking into decrowing, but I couldn't do that to the little fella either, so I just send him happy thoughts and hope for the best, and look forward to the day we'll have at least one of his offspring.

 

[nwgirl]

Quote:
Good thought, but I've heard castrating a rooster doesn't stop them from crowing. I couldn't do that anyways - I'm too much of a pansy

 

[crazy huhn]

I know exactly how you are feeling, we had the same problem here last year and found a great home for my boy. However, it seems you found an excellent home for him. De-crowing or caponizing is not an option and not always results in not-crowing. At the end it is so much better this way than the risk of someone making you getting rid of all your birds, because of complaining that they are a nuissance (noice, smell or whatever....)