So sad

[CMHBlueJackets]

Today is a sad day. Our 10 week old bantam crowed (actually he tried to crow but it was funny). Now we have to find him a new home. He is one of our favorites but the crowing won't mix well in our neighborhood. I am expecting many tears from my daughter.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC - so sorry it is on a sad day. How old is your daughter?

 

[Streetview]

That is so hard, especially for kids. We are not allowed to have Roo's in our city, so we would have to rehome as well if that happened. Big hugs!

 

[Half Moon Ranch]

Today is a sad day. Our 10 week old bantam crowed (actually he tried to crow but it was funny). Now we have to find him a new home. He is one of our favorites but the crowing won't mix well in our neighborhood. I am expecting many tears from my daughter.

We've got the same problem x3 with 3 out of 5 straight run Silkies.
Our neighbors are tolerating it, but someone has to go.
It's hard to raise them from chicks and grow to love them only to have to re-home them.
I can imagine it would be much harder to take for a youngster.

 

[Ultra]

Is there no way to "de-crow" a roo? I have neighbors who "de-barked" their dog, couldn't the same process be done to a bird? It may sound cruel, but it sure beats going into the pot.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is there no way to "de-crow" a roo? I have neighbors who "de-barked" their dog, couldn't the same process be done to a bird? It may sound cruel, but it sure beats going into the pot.

There is - but the process is expensive and finding a practitioner who will do it is rare - given the life expectancy of the average chicken, it really becomes a cost/benefit scenario which, when one is talking about a non-productive bird (ie in a flock where there is no interest in having fertilized eggs - so no real purpose in having a male present), is a very unbalanced equation for a completely medically unnecessary procedure. There are also "crow collars" etc that can be employed - with mixed reviews on effectiveness.

 

[CMHBlueJackets]

Welcome to BYC - so sorry it is on a sad day.   How old is your daughter? 

She is 10.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are you going to re-home him or? If it is re-homing, at 10 I would consider involving her in that process so that she can feel some ownership in securing his next home and knowing that even though he can't stay with you guys she is helping to be responsible for finding him someplace he will be okay (this, though, would require being sure the intended home is not going to tell her they are going to eat him, etc - less likely with a bantam, but still a possibility). I find that making kids part of the process can help them process it all better.