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

[lomine]

Sorry I probably should have been more clear. When a bird seems to turn from a hen to a rooster. It seems they start looking like a hen and at some point immaturity they take on the outer characteristics of a rooster.

I think you may have misunderstood. In chickens, it's the female's genetic contribution that determines the sex of the chick.

It's the opposite of mammals where the male determines the sex of the offspring.

 

[nicolevg]

I like keeping 1 rooster with my hens for better flock dynamics, but I didn't want to have more than 1 for fear they might compete and hurt/kill each other. We ended up getting a male Ameraucana plus a hen instead of the 2 female Ameraucanas we ordered. So now we have 1 buff Orpington and 1 Ameraucana rooster. Funny enough, we're loaning out our Buff rooster this week as a stud for our friend's hens down the street. I think the Ameraucana is seriously missing his wingman. We have 11 hens total, & the 2 roosters grew up as chicks together, so I think they're best friends. Plus, it works out because there are enough hens for them to share without getting jealous. I'm thankful we didn't get another accidental rooster because it'd be hard to me to slaughter them since I bought them as egg layers & pets, not meat birds. Idk why, but I have no problem raising & slaughtering meat birds, probably because that's why I buy them and I don't get attached . But I have a hard time slaughtering my chickens meant for eggs, even the roosters who watch over my laying hens.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I like keeping 1 rooster with my hens for better flock dynamics, but I didn't want to have more than 1 for fear they might compete and hurt/kill each other. We ended up getting a male Ameraucana plus a hen instead of the 2 female Ameraucanas we ordered. So now we have 1 buff Orpington and 1 Ameraucana rooster. Funny enough, we're loaning out our Buff rooster this week as a stud for our friend's hens down the street. I think the Ameraucana is seriously missing his wingman. We have 11 hens total, & the 2 roosters grew up as chicks together, so I think they're best friends. Plus, it works out because there are enough hens for them to share without getting jealous. I'm thankful we didn't get another accidental rooster because it'd be hard to me to slaughter them since I bought them as egg layers & pets, not meat birds. Idk why, but I have no problem raising & slaughtering meat birds, probably because that's why I buy them and I don't get attached . But I have a hard time slaughtering my chickens meant for eggs, even the roosters who watch over my laying hens.

Just know that separating the two roosters can lead to them no longer tolerating each other when reintroduced

 

[nicolevg]

Just know that separating the two roosters can lead to them no longer tolerating each other when reintroduced

Yes, that's why we're only loaning him out for a couple days. How long does it usually take for them to forget each other? We're getting him back later today, so it will have only been 2 days they were apart (not even.... more like 44 hours)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes, that's why we're only loaning him out for a couple days. How long does it usually take for them to forget each other? We're getting him back later today, so it will have only been 2 days they were apart (not even.... more like 44 hours)

It's not necessarily that they've forgotten, it's that suddenly their status has improved and another male can put that status in jeopardy.

Some of my males are accepting so long as the newcomers don't ho after them. Some of my males only need the next morning with no other male and then that's it, they can't be with multiple males anymore

 

[CityFarmerRob]

That has nothing to do with a hen determining the sex of her chicks. All hens determine the sex of their offspring.

Okay again I'm no expert so I appreciate any clarification that anyone can provide.

 

[FearlessFeather]

What do you do with them all?

I know of a community that likes egg laying chickens for meat. They don’t like the Cornish cross commercial breed

 

[CityFarmerRob]

I know of a community that likes egg laying chickens for meat. They don’t like the Cornish cross commercial breed

Well I never really had the idea to breed five varieties with each other. But I caught a rooster that have been running around the neighborhood for quite a while, he seem to be the only survivor of about six and he's a Rhode Island red. I just thought they made really pretty birds. And a couple of the eggs from some of the female offspring came out kind of light green, which is new as far as the color of eggs I get. Yeah I have the people that find out I have chickens ask me if I eat them or if I sell them for food. Just not there yet guys.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

That has nothing to do with a hen determining the sex of her chicks. All hens determine the sex of their offspring.

Agree.... Just because we don't see the sex traits at hatch doesn't mean they are not there. You can sex a bird at 1 day, you just don't hear the boy crow for many months. Just like human boy babies don't have beards at birth.

 

[CityFarmerRob]

Agree.... Just because we don't see the sex traits at hatch doesn't mean they are not there. You can sex a bird at 1 day, you just don't hear the boy crow for many months. Just like human boy babies don't have beards at birth.

Speak for yourself, when I was born they thought I was a Tribble.