Update to: Put my healthy and beautiful rooster down?

[speckledhen]

My first choice, if it was my own decision, would be to do a free rehoming to someone who has similar hens (age really doesn't matter if the hens is of laying age) and who babies their chickens like you do. He's an old guy, but I hate to put down a healthy animal, personally. I don't fault you for considering it, certainly, and I understand why. In the end, it will have to be your decision, of course.

 

[SilkieNation]

Yes - I certainly baby my chickens. I guess I do that with all the animals I know. I am looking for a home, but as I said, there are a lot of roosters around. He's old(ish), but he's very healthy. He does have attack tendencies - it's just that his size minimizes what could be major wounds! Thanks for your thoughts on this. I will keep exploring options.

 

[centrarchid]

Do you think a new hen(s) (but not a young hen) would make him happy or is it likely that he will mourn regardless because of how bonded they are?  It's just been these two for about 4-5 years.  I just don't have enough experience with chickens to know this.

A young hen will not pose a problem for him. I have had a few such old roosters and they have no problems with younger hens. The bonding is not as intense as you think with chickens, especially with adult on adult.

 

[SilkieNation]

Thank you. That's good to know. The thing is, if I get young birds I will be committing myself to many more years of chicken keeping and I'm not sure that's what I want. However, it's still an option I am contemplating. Old hens seem to be hard to find, although I don't know why that would be, unless they've all been made into soup.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you. That's good to know. The thing is, if I get young birds I will be committing myself to many more years of chicken keeping and I'm not sure that's what I want. However, it's still an option I am contemplating. Old hens seem to be hard to find, although I don't know why that would be, unless they've all been made into soup.

I think that if folks have older hens, they are probably keeping them until they pass on as we do. I have several hens in the 6, 7 and 8 year old range, some going on 9 years. They are here until they die because they are pets and they've earned it. Other folks do make their slowing down layers into soup, but you may find someone who would take your older rooster for their bantam hens. I have Belgian D'Anvers and the roosters can be a royal pain but they are so small, it's like leaves blowing against your leg if they flog. Many bantam roosters have that "Little Big Man" syndrome. I completely understand you wanting to stop keeping birds, so I wouldn't get him more hens, I'd give him away to someone with bantam hens. What breed is he or is he mixed?

 

[SilkieNation]

Yes, they are probably not all going to soup. I was just making a little joke. He is a beautiful multicolored Silkie - golden, reds, a bit of green - full feathered and totally handsome. I guess I'm worried that if I give him away, he won't get the standard of care that I gave him. He's spoiled. Heat in the winter, a plate of a variety of healthy treats in the morning... a throne of hay to sleep on... However, I suppose I need to remember that he is a chicken and would likely adapt to a good home if I could find him one. Perhaps I just need to look with more conviction.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, they are probably not all going to soup. I was just making a little joke. He is a beautiful multicolored Silkie - golden, reds, a bit of green - full feathered and totally handsome. I guess I'm worried that if I give him away, he won't get the standard of care that I gave him. He's spoiled. Heat in the winter, a plate of a variety of healthy treats in the morning... a throne of hay to sleep on... However, I suppose I need to remember that he is a chicken and would likely adapt to a good home if I could find him one. Perhaps I just need to look with more conviction.

Silkies often are pampered and sometimes made house chickens, I'm told. But, if he's aggressive, that may not bode well for him. Most expect their Silkie males to be docile. Still, someone may take pity and give him a final home with their own Silkies or other bantam hens. Even large fowl hens might accept him. I have a bantam Cochin rooster living with two humongous Orpington hens. He didn't have a group to go to due to circumstance and their 14 lb rooster passed of old age, so little Xander is in with the big girls. And I do mean BIG. He thinks he is DA MAN. They pretty much spit on him for awhile, but now, he's accepted and been there for two years. He is the young one, only about 2 years old and they are 7 years old. The hen pictured is the smaller of the two. The other is a blue Orp and hated Xander for a long time, but he won her over, sort of. She doesn't glare at him as much, lol.

 

[rancher hicks]

Yes, they are probably not all going to soup. I was just making a little joke. He is a beautiful multicolored Silkie - golden, reds, a bit of green - full feathered and totally handsome. I guess I'm worried that if I give him away, he won't get the standard of care that I gave him. He's spoiled. Heat in the winter, a plate of a variety of healthy treats in the morning... a throne of hay to sleep on... However, I suppose I need to remember that he is a chicken and would likely adapt to a good home if I could find him one. Perhaps I just need to look with more conviction.

Au Contraire he is NOT just a chicken. He's your pet and pets give more than just chickens.

1. Your decision has to be one YOU can live with, no one else.

2. You don't note your location under your Avatar and this would be helpful. I'm in NYS so I can hardly be of any help. Someone nearby may be willing to take him.

3. He may not get the type of treatment you give him but he may very well live out a happy life on a small farm.

4. Do you want to do what best for you or him? It's your decision what that is.

5. Post to your area and asked to visit any possible homes offered before giving him up. You may find someone who has chickens and non chickens (special chickens, chickens who give us comfort and lower our blood pressure. )

I wish you well,

Finally this is Frenchy. She an original hatchery girl, the only one I have of 25 I got when I started with chickens. She just turned 7 yrs old and has lived with my Delawares since the beginning. She has taken to sleeping in the nest box again. I think to keep away from the two roosters, but she's a smart girl. I let her of course. No special treatment other than a few handfuls of scratch tossed where only she can get to it. I'm afraid to move her since she seems content to be where she is. I've considered bringing her indoor for a house chicken. I see no reason she'd be any different than a Parrot or other indoor bird. I'd just sift her cage like folks do for indoor cats. I saw an old metal crib converted to a cage. DW will not hear of it.

 

[SilkieNation]

You're right! He's not just a chicken and that's the problem! I live in Scituate Rhode Island. I have posted as far as Albany, NY where my sister lives for an "older hen". I'm definitely willing to travel. I have just tried to post on CL for a home for him, but somehow am not getting the confirming email and need to try it again (with chicken home visit a requirement). They're in my basement now as it's been too cold for my hen in their house. Here's a picture of him.


My problem is if I can live with the terminal decision. Animal things tend to haunt me. But after hearing from people through this thread, I have decided first to look hard for the right home. I appreciate everyone's input. Don't have much time as the growth on my hen's jaw is growing fast and she will stop eating at some point soon - at least that's what the vet says. And finally, a house chicken? Hmmm....I suppose if you have a big enough cage it could work!

 

[SilkieNation]

Although I don't like to admit it, he is a bit aggressive. Calms right down when you pick him up though! He's just being a rooster, right? When he's out in the yard (attended, lots of hawks) he's fine. It's when I'm in his space that he gets all bent out of shape - sometimes. And I've considered that this could be a problem for him as a new owner might not be so tolerant as I am and give him a good kick or something. I've considered getting or placing him with large hens, as long as there were only a few of them. A little Silkie rooster was dropped off at the barn where my horse lives. He was immediately accepted by the 4 RI Reds they had. I suppose he got lucky.

Wow - a 14 pound rooster? I guess I'm used to the little guys, that seems so big!