Tips on Selling Roos

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I'm trying to sell some young roosters because I can't afford anybody that isn't laying or isn't a pet anymore. I really don't want to sell to anyone that wants to butcher them, because they are very sweet to both me and the hens. I know that they are sweet, lovable, and friendly and could even be a kid's pet, but nobody wants them. Scrolling through the BST section it looks like a lot of people are in the same boat. I would just like to get some help from somebody with more experience at selling chickens on what I can do. I put up a few flyers around town, but I haven't heard from anybody. I can't post a BST because I'm under 18. Any ideas?

I really appreciate it, Ms. B

 

[Fred's Hens]

There are always those few people who have no difficulty in selling their excess cockerels. Some, even make a dollar or two on them. This is entirely dependent on one's local area. But such places are somewhat rare, and that needs to be understood, I think.

For most of the folks around the US, selling cockerels is a tough, uphill climb. Even giving them away is sometimes difficult. The reality is that roosters of most breeds simply do not make great pets. Sorry. For every rooster deemed to be a good "pet" there are a 100 stories of roosters acting just like the boar, stallion or bull of the other males in the animal kingdom. Roosters of most breeds, today, simply do not make efficient meat birds either. They aren't like the meat bird carcass that people are used to seeing in the grocery store. Not at all.

People in urban areas face rules that prohibit the keeping of roosters, so all those folks won't be in your market at all. People in rural areas who do keep roosters are selective about having a good rooster or two. A flock never quite needs as many roosters as it does hens, so those who wish to breed are a bit fussy about what they are looking for in a younger cockerel.

The bottom line reality is that roosters are simply not as easy to dispose of as some of the luckier folks imagine. In many, many areas, there is virtually zero market, zip, nada, no market at all for most cockerels. Putting a "pet" or "no butchering" restriction upon the sale reduces your market even further. Just sayin'. Here's to wishing you the very best in being successful in what you desire.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

The worst part about it all is, people were trying to buy roosters from me this spring, when I didn't have any, and now, they tell me they thought about it more and don't want them. I do live in a county that is ( thankfully) so rural that there are no regulations about having roosters in the "towns".

I do agree that people have a lot of prejudice against roos because they may have had a bad experience in the past, and that does make them harder to sell. Even the people that have seen them, and how calm they are still scared of them.

Thank you for being realistic though. I do understand that there is hardly a market for roosters , and that they will be really difficult to sell.

 

[TXchickmum]

It is difficult to rehome roos. Many folks don't want/can't have them for various reasons. I know lots of folks that suggest listing on Craigslist or other venues of the sort. If you are concerned about well-being, I wouldn't encourage this as many of these roos wind up in cockfighting endeavors. -would rather humanely cull than EVER see a roo treated to such cruelty.... I, too, have two precious pet roos. My 14-year-old daughter totes them around all the time (and even sneaks them in the house).

They are adorable. If the time comes that we can no longer keep them (due to noise ordinance complaint) then we will attempt to rehome with a good knowledge of the environment in which they'll reside....or, if worse comes to worse, cull quickly and humanely. -best of luck in finding wonderful homes for your roos!

 

[Fred's Hens]

It is difficult to rehome roos. Many folks don't want/can't have them for various reasons. I know lots of folks that suggest listing on Craigslist or other venues of the sort. If you are concerned about well-being, I wouldn't encourage this as many of these roos wind up in cockfighting endeavors. -would rather humanely cull than EVER see a roo treated to such cruelty.... I, too, have two precious pet roos. My 14-year-old daughter totes them around all the time (and even sneaks them in the house).

They are adorable. If the time comes that we can no longer keep them (due to noise ordinance complaint) then we will attempt to rehome with a good knowledge of the environment in which they'll reside....or, if worse comes to worse, cull quickly and humanely. -best of luck in finding wonderful homes for your roos!

Actually, the fear of cock fighting is largely an unrealized fear. 99.9% of the DP roosters BYC folks have are not gamey enough to ever be considered for fighting. I trust there is some consolation in saying this.

 

[TXchickmum]

I agree completely that most wouldn't be used for actual fights (and aren't game breeds), but many would be utilized for sparring partners. -think there is validity in that concern. I should have clarified.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Actually, the fear of cock fighting is largely an unrealized fear.  99.9% of the DP roosters BYC folks have are not gamey enough to ever be considered for fighting.  I trust there is some consolation in saying this.

I agree that not a lot of roosters would actually be fought (although several people tried to buy my Phoenix and even told me he would be happy and get to fight with other roosters, like in the wild, he said)

I did read an article in our local paper about cock fighting in a nearby town and how it has become a huge problem. It is actually a reality around here, and that does worry me

I think I am going to try craigslist, but I've been kind of wary, since I would really like to know where they are going.

 

[CAjerseychick]

I mentioned this earlier(the other thread on selling roos)-- but there really is a movement around Farm animal rescue-- just Google Kansas Farm animal rescue, or you can just post at Rescue me .org and list your Roos!-- its not as convenient as the actual drop off site we have here in Grass Valley, CA, but it is a start....