To Cull ..... then what?

[kimb]

As a result of this springs hatch I have a flock of roos ...

I've tried CL a bit - but I'm nervous about humane treatment (not so much end result).

I can bring myself to cull them ... but that's it ... I'm too queasy/stomach shy to be able to process them. And they're all bantams so it's almost (I hate to say this) a waste of money to pay someone else to process for a couple wings and drum sticks.

But it's also a waste to just cull and bury ... but they've had a great life thus far ... so is it enough to just cull?

Does anyone cull and then relocate the bodies to feed wildlife? or bury? ... what are my other options?


I have 4 silkies, 2 d'uccles that have to go...

 

[silkiechicken]

Processing them usually isn't that hard if you can kill them. Treat it like a store bird. You can always try to find the local Asian community though and advertise your silkies there. Silkies are prized for their medicinal value.

 

[Karrie13]

I thought I would NEVER be able to process my own birds but proved myself wrong this spring. Unlike you, I had a hard time culling any bird I always had my husband to do it. I processed 22 birds in mid-June by myself and after the first one it really wasn’t that bad at all. I could clean them out in no time. I hatched 12 chicks in August and guess what? They are ALL ROO’s so I will have some more processing to do in a month or two when they are big enough. They are mixed from my FBCM roo over EE hens and they look to be decent sized. I had extra Silkie Roo’s that I needed to find a home for because I wasn’t even going to consider processing them… something about black meat isn’t that appealing to me.

Good luck!

 

[donrae]

Try marketing them for the folks who feed their dogs raw meat. You could provide the quick death, they could give the meat a purpose.

 

[crazzzymike13]

When I have had to cull chickens. I had a guy buying them off me so he could use them as bait for trapping bobcats. Find a trapper and hook him up.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Wildlife rehab centers feed their predators on meat donations. Find one nearby and they will be greatful for your contribution.

Also, consider the value of feathers when you think of paying for processing. If they are skinned and you preserve the pelts, you could get a lot of money from crafters or fly fishermen. Just check out what a small bag of feathers is going for at a craft store- $3-10 for less than 1/10 of a rooster! Sell the pelts for $10 each and make your money back!

 

[craftychicken]

you could bury them and plant a tree in the same hole. As they decompose, it will provide nutrients for the tree. just make sure you pack the dirt down. and definitely save the feathers if you can manage it. very valuable for the fly tying business. i suppose you could even cut them off, no need to pluck the whole feather really.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Not trying to be rude or flame but isn't that something you should have thought about prior? You can kill them and waste them but you can't/won't sell them to somebody that will use them? That doesn't quite make sense to me.

Steve

 

[kimb]

Quote:
I have thought about it ... quite a bit - in the past I've been lucky to find someone that "said" they treat them well before they go in the pot ... but what I do know is that they've lived a happy, healthy, life thus far and I'd rather "waste" them ... then risk them going somewhere where they're going to be thrown into a pen of roosters to fight for their life until they are killed by the other roosters, or until processing day... ... it's a tough call - I'm just looking for what other options there are out there...

I can cull them only because I know it's for the better of the others... too many roos and not only are they fighting with each other - but they're also abusing the ladies...

But honestly - asking even $2 per chicken hasn't gotten any bites ... and unless someone knows a reputable someone - I just don't think it's fair to the birds to risk their well-being until their death... I guess it's selfish to have peace of mind - knowing it was quick and painless and they had a great life until that point

I'm in southeastern NH and there isn't much for sanctuaries/reserves for animals around here ...

 

[M@M@2four]

I'd just post them, "free to good home" on CL one at a time. That way they have less chance of going to someone to be eaten. Do you belong to "freecycle?" If not, I'd highly recommend it! Just go to freecycle.org and sign up for your state and county. I have found LOTS of great homes for my unwanted silkie roos there! Good luck!!!