Selling Cockerels Advice

[AnneGirlGG]

Edit- I'm editing this to ask another question that isn't related to coxkerels but I hated to post yet again. In this picture, there are 5 chicks. 2 are likely a buckeye and a RIR. The other 3 are BBS Orpingtons. Does anyone know if these colors they are now represent their adult colors, or are they likely to change? I had one that was much more black, but unfortunately I lost that one. Thanks!

Original post below:

At what age does everyone start thinking about selling cockerels?

I have a flock of 15 bantams, and 5 LF chicks that are still inside in the brooder. In my bantam flock, I know for sure that I've got 4 cockerels. A 5th, I'm almost positive is, and a silkie is my wild card. Obviously, this won't be sustainable as everyone starts to mature. These birds range from 6 weeks to 12 weeks.

I don't want to keep so many males that they start to fight, because right now they all get along great. It's a very peaceful coop. But I don't want to get rid of anyone too soon and give away what would've been a better rooster for my ladies.

So what insights or advice do y'all have to guide me to make the right decisions at the right time? I very much appreciate any thoughts!

 

[FrostRanger]

As soon as you know they won't work for you. If you're planning on keeping anyone, narrow down your options in phases. First phase anyone you know you won't keep for any reason, then reevaluate again in a few weeks and repeat until you come to decision. Also know that you may end up with multiple good options in which case pick whomever the girls like best, or none of them may work out in which case you just try again next hatch

 

[AnneGirlGG]

As soon as you know they won't work for you. If you're planning on keeping anyone, narrow down your options in phases. First phase anyone you know you won't keep for any reason, then reevaluate again in a few weeks and repeat until you come to decision. Also know that you may end up with multiple good options in which case pick whomever the girls like best, or none of them may work out in which case you just try again next hatch

This is great advice, thank you. I have one that while he's fine with the flock, he is terrified of me. Which I don't expect cuddles, so him not wanting to be picked up isn't an issue in that aspect. But trying to catch him for a health check is a drawn out affair. I think he may be on the list just because he's so skittish.

 

[FrostRanger]

This is great advice, thank you. I have one that while he's fine with the flock, he is terrified of me. Which I don't expect cuddles, so him not wanting to be picked up isn't an issue in that aspect. But trying to catch him for a health check is a drawn out affair. I think he may be on the list just because he's so skittish.

In that case, start looking for a home for him now

Also, it's usually easier to do health checks at night when everyone is roosting

 

[AnneGirlGG]

In that case, start looking for a home for him now

Also, it's usually easier to do health checks at night when everyone is roosting

I bought him with 3 others, as 2 male/female pairs. I think I'll sell him with one of the females so he's not going anywhere alone. Or maybe birds don't care about that sort of thing.

That makes a lot of sense. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[FrostRanger]

I bought him with 3 others, as 2 male/female pairs. I think I'll sell him with one of the females so he's not going anywhere alone. Or maybe birds don't care about that sort of thing.

That makes a lot of sense. I'll keep that in mind.

It doesn't really matter whether he goes alone or not but it might make it easier to find someone willing to take him, do whatever works for you though

 

[AnneGirlGG]

It doesn't really matter whether he goes alone or not but it might make it easier to find someone willing to take him, do whatever works for you though

Thank you so much!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

But trying to catch him for a health check is a drawn out affair.

My rooster has no interest in being picked up or approached by me. He usually waits until I’m halfway back to the house in the morning to even come down from his tree. I consider this an attribute because my last rooster was way too interested in me and became aggressive. My current rooster gets out of my way whenever I am feeding/watering/collecting eggs. So personally I wouldn’t get rid of a rooster for this. If he is actually terrified of you that might be another thing and might turn into aggression once his hormones hit. Someone else might have a different perspective but on that.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

My rooster has no interest in being picked up or approached by me. He usually waits until I’m halfway back to the house in the morning to even come down from his tree. I consider this an attribute because my last rooster was way too interested in me and became aggressive. My current rooster gets out of my way whenever I am feeding/watering/collecting eggs. So personally I wouldn’t get rid of a rooster for this. If he is actually terrified of you that might be another thing and might turn into aggression once his hormones hit. Someone else might have a different perspective but on that.

This is exactly why I don't want to screw up and make a decision too soon. Get rid of him because I can't touch him, but tl then it actually be a good trait. Because I won't be tolerating any human aggressive birds. I have kids and that just isn't happening. I know I'm overthinking it, but I end up paralyzed when I try to make decisions, if that makes sense.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I feel that—I have kids too and that’s how my last rooster ended up getting on the bye-bye list. He flared his feathers and was fixin to charge my tiny human. He was gone the next day. You don’t have to make a decision right away since they are still young and getting along. You can wait and see how hormones effect them a bit but have a space/plan to separate them if the feathers start flying or concerning behaviors toward people crop up. Decide what behaviors are deal breakers and then be confident in following through. That’s what I did was basically give three strikes unless he went for the kid. So he didn’t make it to three strikes. Hope that helps a little