Roosters, Roosters, Roosters

[Alissa Streight]

They were all hatched June 10th! They are getting very big (to fast for my liking) and I breaks my heart to think about what may happen to them. All of them steer clear of me, I only have 1 hen that enjoys being touched, and even that has it's limits.

I just don't know where to send them that they won't end up on a dinner table. They are good roosters, all purebred, and I don't want to see them end up a meal.

What age do you guys think they will begin to pester the hens? Just curious as to what kind of time frame I'm looking at here.

Thank you!

 

[Chickassan]

Around October the stuff will hit the fan, by November you probably won't care where the excess boys go chicken puberty will have that effect on you.

 

[Abriana]

The general rule is one rooster per ten to twelve hens. Otherwise, they will over mate the hens, maybe even killing some, and they will fight amongst themselves. It does not make for a happy flock-trust me, I've been there!

 

[bobbi-j]

They were all hatched June 10th! They are getting very big (to fast for my liking) and I breaks my heart to think about what may happen to them. All of them steer clear of me, I only have 1 hen that enjoys being touched, and even that has it's limits.

I just don't know where to send them that they won't end up on a dinner table. They are good roosters, all purebred, and I don't want to see them end up a meal.

What age do you guys think they will begin to pester the hens? Just curious as to what kind of time frame I'm looking at here.

Thank you!

Unfortunately, it's hard to find a forever home for extra roosters. Because too many will be hard on the flock, there are always roosters/cockerels needing to be removed. The best thing to do is, find someone to take them and don't ask questions. Just know that they lived a good life at your place.

Another option, but I don't know that you're ready for it is, keep them separated from the pullets for another few months and put them in your own freezer. Sounds harsh, I know. But here's how I look at it. By processing my own birds, I know that they have lived a good life. They've been well-cared for, not neglected, and when it's time to process, it's over for them in less than a minute. So they go from happy, healthy chickens to having one bad moment that they'll never remember. But I know that they died as quickly and humanely as possible. I know this isn't for everyone, but it works for us.

As far as when they'll pester the pullets, it could start anytime within the next month or so. I'd start looking for homes now or build a separate pen.

 

[Mrs. K]

Personally I love Bobbi-j one bad moment idea, it helps me.

AArt - often says, roosters are where romance hits reality. Culling birds is mentally hard. Personally, I start to distance myself from them, I don't watch them. Just feed and water them. Once they are dead, it is easy. Most of us have struggled with this aspect, so do not think we are heartless, we just know where you are. We have all been there. If you really can't do it, then offer them for free, and do not ask questions. If someone asked you for some food, I would imagine you would give it to them.

As for your time frame - soon.

 

[Folly's place]

Having a good life, and then feeding a family, is a good thing! When you have hatching eggs, or buy straight run chicks, many cockerels will appear, and they are mostly meant to be dinner. Mary

 

[Chickassan]

This is going to sound terrible but if you can't do the deed there are processors for hire that will do it for you. You might even get a freebie if you let them keep a roo or two. Sounds bad I know, but I was raised eating roosters I knew. Rule number one always stays with me. Don't get attached to the roosters they're delicious.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Around 16 weeks old and up they start attempting to mate. If you've older hens they'll be put in check pretty well and the harassment of too many cockerels will be put off some.

I used to cull all the unwanted cockerels and cock birds for meals but family members are too used to store bought so don't have the need to eat all of them and we hatch a lot more than we used too. Got lucky a few years ago when had an ad up on craigslist giving them away and met a family from China with live in mother-in-law. She's old school and wants only roosters for feeding the grandsons "animal medicine". We raise so many males each year this has become quite the godsend to call them up when I'm ready to downsize or grown enough to make breeding culls.

 

[bobbi-j]

This is going to sound terrible but if you can't do the deed there are processors for hire that will do it for you. You might even get a freebie if you let them keep a roo or two. Sounds bad I know, but I was raised eating roosters I knew. Rule number one always stays with me. Don't get attached to the roosters they're delicious.

Best advice ever! It's a mindset that one has to develop, I think, to make that switch from "pet" to "livestock".

Around 16 weeks old and up they start attempting to mate. If you've older hens they'll be put in check pretty well and the harassment of too many cockerels will be put off some.

I used to cull all the unwanted cockerels and cock birds for meals but family members are too used to store bought so don't have the need to eat all of them and we hatch a lot more than we used too. Got lucky a few years ago when had an ad up on craigslist giving them away and met a family from China with live in mother-in-law. She's old school and wants only roosters for feeding the grandsons "animal medicine". We raise so many males each year this has become quite the godsend to call them up when I'm ready to downsize or grown enough to make breeding culls.

Sounds like a great deal for both you and them! I love canned chicken. So handy to have on hand for a quick meal!

 

[crazy rooster34]

hey, so i have a flock of 11 hens 5 are 2 1/2 years and theaters are 9 months< and i have a 2 year old rooster i want to introduce is this ok, and how would i do so