So frustrating- sold a rooster!

[ajay18]

I made a special trip- an hour there and back- to get some seven week old chicks from a local feed store. Two buffs and one RIR, all supposed to be hens. I am positive now looking at "her" closely, that the RIR is a cock. It's plainly evident. What an incompetent staff- they were selected for me and brought to me in a cardboard box so I didn't get a good look. Of course it's my fault too for taking it on good faith that yes, they're all hens, instead of scrutinizing. An hour away, that's a lot for 3 chicks, let alone to exchange one chick! I'm so frustrated. Now I have three rooster chicks on my hands instead of two. They were so polite when I was there, friendly and upbeat, much better than the last place I went to, so that played into my not wanting to stand there checking the chicks, as it would seem rude when they had already promised me I was getting hens. But guess what? When I called them with my predicament, an unconcerned "I don't know what to tell ya." Gee thanks. I guess I'll just dish out another 2 hours and change for that attitude. Next please.

Okay, rant over. Thanks for listening. Have you ever found yourself in my shoes?

 

[Mrs. K]

Just so you know, I have had chickens for YEARS. A couple of years ago, I got a group of chicks, kind of a ragtag bunch, different breeds, but vigorous and healthy and a good deal. Knew they were all hens, didn't pay much attention, they were all different sizes.

One day I looked, and just as I look HE crowed. My point being, people make mistakes, and they can be kind of tricky to tell, even when you are experienced. When you get chicks, even older chicks, unless they are sex linked, or an auto-sexing breed, determining which ones are roosters is kind of a 50/50 deal, unles you are considerably more experienced than the average feed store owner. Even experienced people can make mistakes.

I don't think you were deliberately frauded into accepting a rooster chick. I do realize that is does not do much for the trip back.

MRs K

 

[ajay18]

You're right, and I don't think so either. A large part of my frustration is that 3 rooster chicks is a hard number for me to swallow. And I'm already getting attached to him- he's a cute little bird.

 

[Mrs. K]

they always are, which makes the hard to call them "dinner" or "adios!"

 

[iluvmybabiez]

It's not hard to keep Roos, its better to just keep them than eat them...
I have 12+ Roos running around in my yard just fine.

You'll never know unless you try.

 

[bobbi-j]

its better to just keep them than eat them...
I have 12+ Roos running around in my yard just fine.

You'll never know unless you try.

That is a matter of opinion. I prefer to process my extra roosters rather than spend a lot of extra money on feed for a bird that's not producing any eggs. But that is the difference between a farming mindset and a non-farming mindset. On most farms, chickens are livestock, not pets.

Not everyone has enough space for 12+ roosters to wander around with no problems. I also wonder what kind of life the hens lead. Are there enough that each rooster has his own little flock? Or are the hens constantly being chased by multiple roosters wanting to breed them? Or are your hens and roosters separated? (This is the only option I can see working so the hens aren't constantly being harassed)

 

[keesmom]

That is a matter of opinion. I prefer to process my extra roosters rather than spend a lot of extra money on feed for a bird that's not producing any eggs. But that is the difference between a farming mindset and a non-farming mindset. On most farms, chickens are livestock, not pets.

Not everyone has enough space for 12+ roosters to wander around with no problems. I also wonder what kind of life the hens lead. Are there enough that each rooster has his own little flock? Or are the hens constantly being chased by multiple roosters wanting to breed them? Or are your hens and roosters separated? (This is the only option I can see working so the hens aren't constantly being harassed)

I'm with you on this one. The extra males make outstanding stock! Besides, it's not feasible to keep the 30+ males I hatch out each year.

 

[junebuggena]

Just for future reference, most feed stores source their chicks from the big hatcheries. Sexing is usually about 90% accurate. No hatchery guarantees a 100% accuracy rate. Vent sexing has to be done by a person, and people can and do make errors. It's not an exact science. When buying chicks, even if they are sexed, you will need to be prepared to deal with the possibility of cockerels. That's just how it is. Sometimes, you end up with a few boys. If you absolutely never ever want a cockerel, buy sexlink pullets.

 

[iluvmybabiez]

That is a matter of opinion. I prefer to process my extra roosters rather than spend a lot of extra money on feed for a bird that's not producing any eggs. But that is the difference between a farming mindset and a non-farming mindset. On most farms, chickens are livestock, not pets. 

Not everyone has enough space for 12+ roosters to wander around with no problems. I also wonder what kind of life the hens lead. Are there enough that each rooster has his own little flock? Or are the hens constantly being chased by multiple roosters wanting to breed them? Or are your hens and roosters separated? (This is the only option I can see working so the hens aren't constantly being harassed) 

I don't see it merely as an opinion, but more so choosing life for the birds.

It's not a waste to me to feed my Roos, humans are wasteful leaving tons of scraps feed em that.

My hens are getting a long just fine, they are all separated.

I posted to give comfort, its not a bad thing to accidentally receive Roos.

You may think I don't have a farming mindset, and that's A okay... I do consider myself a farmer, but also a compassionate person. I do not kill any of my livestock. If that bothers someone, unfortunately that's their problem.

PS. So it's more feasible to cut their heads off then let them loose to eat grass? Mine are doing just fine with scraps and grass, they don't fight either.

 

[junebuggena]

I don't see it merely as an opinion, but more so choosing life for the birds.

It's not a waste to me to feed my Roos, humans are wasteful leaving tons of scraps feed em that.

My hens are getting a long just fine, they are all separated.

I posted to give comfort, its not a bad thing to accidentally receive Roos.

You may think I don't have a farming mindset, and that's A okay... I do consider myself a farmer, but also a compassionate person. I do not kill any of my livestock. If that bothers someone, unfortunately that's their problem.

PS. So it's more feasible to cut their heads off then let them loose to eat grass? Mine are doing just fine with scraps and grass, they don't fight either.

This is your opinion, you are entitled to it. But that isn't everyone's opinion. And that's okay. There's no need to be so defensive. Not everybody has the room to keep every cockerel that comes along. Different people have different ways of managing their flocks. Your way is not the only way, nor is it practical for every other chicken keeper.