This year we kind of went crazy on the size of our flock. Went from 26 to 105. We have birds of 5 or 6 different ages. Last year we got one huge grey rooster by mistake, but he was gentle and never attacks me, so we kept him, but when we started getting the 80+ new ones, we also got 7 new unwanted roosters. Friends came and helped me chase and catch 3 of them with a net. But for these last 4, no one was able to help me, so tried a calmer approach, and caught them within a 1/2 hour with no running or squawking.
We have a small area added along one fence line to try and expand their space. I'd just started working on a gate for that area, I often feed them there, and keep a few toys, so they are used to it. I cut some wire fencing and used plastic ties to build a gate, right there next to the opening. The chickens had been milling around watching, going in and out of area. 4 of the smallest hens followed by 3 of the new roosters were in that area, and while my gate was not finished, it was close enough, so I just quietly swung the gate around into place and finished the last few ties. The Roosters did not even know they had been caught. I did not have to upset the flock or run even 2 steps swinging that net. The little hens were so much smaller that I was able to just lift a corner in one edge of gate, and they scurried out. That last rooster, I'll just leave for now.
As for what to do with them, I can no longer butcher them. I'm 73 now and simply don't want to. So I asked around and found a friend of a friend who is willing to do the job for a good dinner. I am not charging them. Times are too tight, if his family will benefit from them, so much the better. Just rejoicing to get peace back in our flock. We are after the eggs, not the meat.
We have a small area added along one fence line to try and expand their space. I'd just started working on a gate for that area, I often feed them there, and keep a few toys, so they are used to it. I cut some wire fencing and used plastic ties to build a gate, right there next to the opening. The chickens had been milling around watching, going in and out of area. 4 of the smallest hens followed by 3 of the new roosters were in that area, and while my gate was not finished, it was close enough, so I just quietly swung the gate around into place and finished the last few ties. The Roosters did not even know they had been caught. I did not have to upset the flock or run even 2 steps swinging that net. The little hens were so much smaller that I was able to just lift a corner in one edge of gate, and they scurried out. That last rooster, I'll just leave for now.
As for what to do with them, I can no longer butcher them. I'm 73 now and simply don't want to. So I asked around and found a friend of a friend who is willing to do the job for a good dinner. I am not charging them. Times are too tight, if his family will benefit from them, so much the better. Just rejoicing to get peace back in our flock. We are after the eggs, not the meat.
