Topic of the Week - What do/can you do with unwanted roosters?

[lomine]

So I'd like to hear everyones opinion on this idea I had? So I'd like to breed poultry and although my plans have been changed multiple times I think I finally made a good plan to build a breeding setup. So I plan on hatching about 20-30 eggs and I'm assuming that I will get a 50%-60% rooster hatch rate. That means I will have about 15-20 roosters. I'm thinking it would be a good idea to take the nicest looking roosters and sell them with two hens as a breeding trio, however that would mean they'll be inbreeding and although that's not horrible it's not good for me as the breeder and I wouldn't feel right about it. My other idea is that I sell the roosters however that normally takes forever and that's left me with my other option. I could breed meat type breeds like Austrolorps, Lakenvelders, Cornish cross, and a "breed" of my own design. Now although I don't exactly like killing my extra roosters, my dad will kill them quick and without thinking twice about it. And he said if he gets free and tasty dinner out of it he will do it anytime I ask. He also said because I now can't be trusted cooking chicken after a...fire incident my dad said he will prepare and cook the roosters! We also have a huge freezer for all the extra roosters. I also do plan on selling laying pullets for about 25-45 depending on breed, rarity, quality, and closest to the breed standard. That way I'm not making 5-8 pet chick.

If your goal is to make money, I'd say stop now. There's really no money in small scale bird selling. Even those rare/unique breeds will eventually get to a point where demand no longer justifies a high price. A couple years ago people were getting $50-$100 for an Ayam Cemani and now they're the same price as any other breed. I'm sure the breeders recoup their money but they aren't bringing in big dollars.

If you want to breed to a standard to produce nice, high-quality birds, find a breed you love. You'll likely have to depend on you passion to keep you motivated. Your customer base will be smaller the higher your price tag goes.

If you just want to hatch some eggs and sell some birds, pick one of the more popular breeds. Most backyard keepers aren't going to care if your birds fit the breed standards. Most just want lots of eggs and pretty looking birds. There probably won't be a high demand for males whatever route you go. I suggest you pick a breed you are happy to have on the dinner table.

I'd also keep in mind the current state of the economy. Many folks are downsizing their flocks to reduce feed costs and less people have extra funds to spend. Plus any equipment (ie feeders and what not) and infrastructure you have to build will be expensive, unless you have a lot of spare material around. The dollar is worth less than it was last year, but people aren't willing to spend a higher amount per bird. So even though it's going to cost you more in feed to grow a pullet to laying age, you aren't going to get much more money. I wouldn't get more than $20 for a standard laying pullet around here. You may consider selling them for slightly less at around 13/14 weeks instead, as that's when you should be able to tell which are the boys (assuming you don't get one of those slow maturing breeds). Let the buyer feed them the rest of the way to laying age.

I don't mean to rain on your parade here, just lots of things to consider. I tried selling extra birds a couple years back. They were just barnyard mix pullets (all blue or green layers so that helped). I found dealing with potential buyers wasn't really worth the hassle and it barely covered the cost of feed. But hatching and raising chicks was fun so it wasn't all bad. Not a money maker though.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

If your goal is to make money, I'd say stop now. There's really no money in small scale bird selling. Even those rare/unique breeds will eventually get to a point where demand no longer justifies a high price. A couple years ago people were getting $50-$100 for an Ayam Cemani and now they're the same price as any other breed. I'm sure the breeders recoup their money but they aren't bringing in big dollars.

If you want to breed to a standard to produce nice, high-quality birds, find a breed you love. You'll likely have to depend on you passion to keep you motivated. Your customer base will be smaller the higher your price tag goes.

If you just want to hatch some eggs and sell some birds, pick one of the more popular breeds. Most backyard keepers aren't going to care if your birds fit the breed standards. Most just want lots of eggs and pretty looking birds. There probably won't be a high demand for males whatever route you go. I suggest you pick a breed you are happy to have on the dinner table.

I'd also keep in mind the current state of the economy. Many folks are downsizing their flocks to reduce feed costs and less people have extra funds to spend. Plus any equipment (ie feeders and what not) and infrastructure you have to build will be expensive, unless you have a lot of spare material around. The dollar is worth less than it was last year, but people aren't willing to spend a higher amount per bird. So even though it's going to cost you more in feed to grow a pullet to laying age, you aren't going to get much more money. I wouldn't get more than $20 for a standard laying pullet around here. You may consider selling them for slightly less at around 13/14 weeks instead, as that's when you should be able to tell which are the boys (assuming you don't get one of those slow maturing breeds). Let the buyer feed them the rest of the way to laying age.

I don't mean to rain on your parade here, just lots of things to consider. I tried selling extra birds a couple years back. They were just barnyard mix pullets (all blue or green layers so that helped). I found dealing with potential buyers wasn't really worth the hassle and it barely covered the cost of feed. But hatching and raising chicks was fun so it wasn't all bad. Not a money maker though.

Thanks for the help! I think I'm just going to pick a single breed like you said. I'm thinking either Copper Maran or Lakenvelder. I love those two breeds and they are breeds I'm okay eating as they are dual purpose breeds. I might do ducks or turkeys but it all depends. Thank you for explaining in such great detail!

 

[chicken-tender]

Its super easy. I used to do it years ago when I didn't have so many cockerels. But I typically have 100-150 cockerels a year its to much work for just me. Capons are way more docile, and seem to grow faster and fatter.

IMO that's nuts.

Banning something because *some* people *might* create a nuisance or a hazard is idiotic.

But it is done everyday in townships nationwide by mini wannabe dicators

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

So I'd like to hear everyones opinion on this idea I had? So I'd like to breed poultry and although my plans have been changed multiple times I think I finally made a good plan to build a breeding setup. So I plan on hatching about 20-30 eggs and I'm assuming that I will get a 50%-60% rooster hatch rate. That means I will have about 15-20 roosters. I'm thinking it would be a good idea to take the nicest looking roosters and sell them with two hens as a breeding trio, however that would mean they'll be inbreeding and although that's not horrible it's not good for me as the breeder and I wouldn't feel right about it. My other idea is that I sell the roosters however that normally takes forever and that's left me with my other option. I could breed meat type breeds like Austrolorps, Lakenvelders, Cornish cross, and a "breed" of my own design. Now although I don't exactly like killing my extra roosters, my dad will kill them quick and without thinking twice about it. And he said if he gets free and tasty dinner out of it he will do it anytime I ask. He also said because I now can't be trusted cooking chicken after a...fire incident my dad said he will prepare and cook the roosters! We also have a huge freezer for all the extra roosters. I also do plan on selling laying pullets for about 25-45 depending on breed, rarity, quality, and closest to the breed standard. That way I'm not making 5-8 pet chick.

About inbreeding, almost all breeders inbreed, and usually sell sibling groups. If you feel bad you can sell them as a sibling trio. Just don’t say it’s an unrelated trio.

 

[The Birb King]

I have two coops. So my rule is one rooster per coop. Unless I have like, 20 hens in one coop. Then I could have more roosters.

Me too pretty much, I have 3 flocks currently. I have 2 Serama roosters in one flock but besides that just one per flock.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

About inbreeding, almost all breeders inbreed, and usually sell sibling groups. If you feel bad you can sell them as a sibling trio.

Ok, I didn't know that was a common thing! Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I process all my extras now, male and female birds

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have found good homes for some of my roosters. I had a gal that would always take roosters, and she would find homes for them also, I was at the county fair one time and I said, "Hey that used to be my rooster!" And the person who owned it said they got it from so-and so. Also I learned if she didn't find a home for it she would process it. I process most of my roosters, but if one is special I find it a home. I am getting a reputation as someone who has nice roosters.

 

[CluckyMcCluckington]

I had one that I bought sexed female. By the time he was a few months old, it was obvious that he was a cockerel and he was showing signs of aggression. Thankfully, I found a rooster and animal rescue. The woman who owns the place said that he was living with the cows and emu. I assume he was not getting along with the other roosters and that is why he was not in the rooster pen. But apparently he learned to behave around animals much bigger than himself and is doing ok. He's a Brahma and would make a beautiful show bird or breeder for someone.

 

[Electric Chickens]

Older roosters (or hens) that will be to tough to eat will go to our local wildlife rehab center to feed their eagles, hawks, etc

I still remember my fifth grade teacher telling us that old hens are good for stewing because, although they are tougher, they have more flavor. Funny what you remember.

It breaks my heart that boy chickens are so unwanted. They can really have such a crappy life just because they had the misfortune to be born male. It seems so unfair so many communities prohibit roosters. I also have 2 that my county does not allow.

I disagree. They might have a short life, but it's not a crappy one. A crappy life is what chickens in egg factories have.