The dreaded part of raising chickens...culling roosters

[rooster0209]

After all the new hatches and trading last year, I ended up with 8 roosters. My poor hens were getting bald backs and necks.

I dread getting the roosters butchered, it is the worst part of raising chickens. A dear friend of mine offered to do the deed, so yesterday morning we rounded up the 5 and off we went. Luckily, I got to sit and chat with the wife while our husbands did the dirty work.

I kept the sweet 3yr old Albie, a white/gold/black guy that was usually at the bottom of the rooster pecking order, and Napolean. I can't help but keep Napolean, what else can you do with a 22ounce black bantum rosecomb

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I'm sorry. All of our six chicks last spring turned out to be pullets. I was so grateful. I worried every day that one or two would be roosters and I couldn't have even one. Too close to neighbors. You have done the right thing. Too many rooster are not good for your flock. Culling is indeed not the most pleasant thing about raising chickens.

 

[Gonzo]

Wow! I wish my hubby would do the deed! Last fall, I was going to process some of my roo's for the freezer, and hubby 'bout gave birth to a little baby cow right there in my kitchen! He named them! He said he would have no part of it! I told him I'd take care of it, I don't have a problem with it. I ended up having to rehome ALL of them because he's a crybaby! I just hope nobody went to any of those cock fight things I hear of. That would be far worse than humainly culling them to feed the family. But what do I know? I'm just a little ol' housewife from Southern Indiana!