To Butcher or Rehome

[Zeil]

My apologises for the blunt title, however I would really like people's thoughts, in our small flock of 6 we have unfortunately raised two roosters, when we only had one we were hoping to keep him and are still hoping to keep one, however the more dominant of the two is really proving two noisey and as the submissive one reaches maturity they are beginning too squabble more frequently...

So of course the topic of rehoming is being throughly investigated however as it is all over its nearly impossible to place roosters.

That in mind the topic of butchering has also come up... Particularly in that in rehoming a rooster there's a certain unknown aspect in whether it's gone to a good home, not so with butchering it.

Any thoughts?
Does anyone else find the thought of butchering roosters more comforting than rehoming, whilst still kind of horrifying at the same time?

 

[aart]

Absolutely.

Great to rehome...IF cock/cockerel is worthy of 'saving' or someone needs one.
First cockbird I had was way too well behaved to eat, but I wanted another breed so he had to go.
Gave him back to the person I bought him from as a friend of theirs had lost theirs and needed one.
Have sold/bartered a couple cockerels that folks needed/wanted.

Otherwise they are delicious and it's the responsible and logical thing to do if you are raising birds for food.
Butchering/harvesting is one of the steepest parts of the chicken learning curve.
Almost as much research on process, equipment, planning and 'gathering of nerve' as building the coop/run.
First time was terrifying but it gets easier, tho never really 'enjoyable' to actually do the deed, the satisfaction of completing the circle and eating good food (my goal to begin with) certainly helps.

 

[azygous]

I'm facing this dilemma at present. I have ended up with three cockerels after two orders of botched sexing by MPC's Myer Hatchery. Juggling three roosters is impossible to even think about, and I've forced myself to accept the idea that I may need to resort to culling.

Fortunately, a friend stumbled onto a Facebook page of a local person who mentioned they were looking for a rooster for their flock. They're coming by today to inspect the young roo, and if he's fortunate, he will be going home with them.

If not, butchering is definitely in my future. It's not a pleasant thought, but it's not a shameful solution.

Edited to update: Young cockerel has gone to a new home. He was on his best behavior while being inspected by prospective family and managed to charm his way out of a "final solution".

 

[bobbi-j]

Absolutely.

Great to rehome...IF cock/cockerel is worthy of 'saving' or someone needs one.
First cockbird I had was way too well behaved to eat, but I wanted another breed so he had to go.
Gave him back to the person I bought him from as a friend of theirs had lost theirs and needed one.
Have sold/bartered a couple cockerels that folks needed/wanted.

Otherwise they are delicious and it's the responsible and logical thing to do if you are raising birds for food.
Butchering/harvesting is one of the steepest parts of the chicken learning curve.
Almost as much research on process, equipment, planning and 'gathering of nerve' as building the coop/run.
First time was terrifying but it gets easier, tho never really 'enjoyable' to actually do the deed, the satisfaction of completing the circle and eating good food (my goal to begin with) certainly helps.

x2

 

[donrae]

No one really likes butchering.

That said, I love hatching chicks. Law of averages says half will be male. I do advertise my cockerels from time to time but rarely sell any, there's just not a market here. So we butcher.

My theory is, there are worse things than a good life and one really bad day. This applies to all our meat animals. They live the best life I can give them, then the quickest death I can offer. Then we feast

 

[Zeil]

I'm pretty sure I could butcher him, I doubt I could ever eat him. Frankly though there are also a couple of small local butchers who I think would do it and I think I'd take him there strictly in difference to how quick and clean they'd probably manage it over me.

On the subject of eating though I dont think poorly of those who can and do, quite the opposite, I hate the commercial meat industry, I think on the whole it's cruel and allows people to be deliberately obtuse about where their foods coming from. I'd love to raise my own food, I just doubt I could.

I suppose in this case though especially it's hard because there's nothing wrong with either of our roosters currently, they're good with people, good with the hens and very protective, they just don't like each other as much anymore, also the hens are very close to the both of them. Unfortunately given the slender rehoming options currently the butchers block is likely where the older of the two will end up.

I suppose I'll comfort myself with the fact that being a Plymouth Rock, he was probably going to turn meaner as he aged.

 

[donrae]

If you don't care to eat him, or know someone who will, doesn't necessarily mean the carcass will go to waste. We overlook the value of an animal carcass as fertilizer in our culture. Dig a hole near an existing plant, or plant a shrub or berry bush where you bury it.

 

[Zeil]

If you don't care to eat him, or know someone who will, doesn't necessarily mean the carcass will go to waste. We overlook the value of an animal carcass as fertilizer in our culture. Dig a hole near an existing plant, or plant a shrub or berry bush where you bury it.

My sister's keen to eat him, them both if needs be, actually so that's not an issue at least.

 

[aart]

I'm pretty sure I could butcher him, I doubt I could ever eat him. Frankly though there are also a couple of small local butchers who I think would do it and I think I'd take him there strictly in difference to how quick and clean they'd probably manage it over me.

On the subject of eating though I dont think poorly of those who can and do, quite the opposite, I hate the commercial meat industry, I think on the whole it's cruel and allows people to be deliberately obtuse about where their foods coming from. I'd love to raise my own food, I just doubt I could.

I suppose in this case though especially it's hard because there's nothing wrong with either of our roosters currently, they're good with people, good with the hens and very protective, they just don't like each other as much anymore, also the hens are very close to the both of them. Unfortunately given the slender rehoming options currently the butchers block is likely where the older of the two will end up.

I suppose I'll comfort myself with the fact that being a Plymouth Rock, he was probably going to turn meaner as he aged.

Extra cockerels are part of raising chicks..they are often the most charming, until they are not.
Once the feathers are off, they just meat.
Making that vital cut the first time is the hardest part, then the 'death throes'.

This tutorial I found to be the most helpful out of the dozens I watched, it shows exactly where to make the jugular cut......
.....shown on a scantily feathered CX meat bird it's very easy to see, just make sure you spread the feathers and get the blade down to the skin on a 'regular' chicken before cutting. I use a cone to contain the bird as I work alone and it keeps them from flapping during their final movements.