Vegans of BYC!!

[fox623]

With an excess of roosters, thats a difficult situation. And slaughter could be a solution to it, if its done humanely. Personally I would opt for keeping a bachelor flock or trying to rehome, but I know that isnt always possible.
If ever I keep chickens, I'd definitely buy an unwanted rooster from someone!

I'd love to have roosters here! There are so many in need of homes. Unfortunately, bureaucracy reigns supreme where I live, which is why there are so many roosters and cockerels in need of housing in the first place. I actually looked into chemical castration and caponizing, but I'm not sure that either is fully harm-free.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I believe that nutrition is also important, and we have the teeth to tearing meat for a reason. Our bodies are meant to obtain nutrients from many sources, not just plants. Many sources of vegan protein are highly genetically modified and soy has been shown to have an impact on estrogen levels.

Regardless, I think you’re all awesome for loving the animals and you have my support for that reason. Not to mention there are some pretty awesome meatless meals that I thoroughly enjoy.

Its important to do research and take supplements to ensure good health on a plant based diet, but it is possible to thrive on the diet. The first time I went vegan, I struggled because I didnt know what to eat. This time Ive researched, and there are plenty of healthy, non genetically modified formed of plant based protein. That is interesting! Though soy isn't something I personally eat a lot of, really.

Yes, we are naturally omnivores, yet modern research shows us that processed meat causes cancer, and red meats can cause cancer also. In moderation, one can live in okay health on a meat diet, but I will always believe plant based to be healthier, as long as it's done properly, gradually and carefully.
Same goes for dairy, that's a big one. 70% of people cant even digest it properly. Plenty of what we eat, and how we eat it, is unnatural.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I'd love to have roosters here! There are so many in need of homes. Unfortunately, bureaucracy reigns supreme where I live, which is why there are so many roosters and cockerels in need of housing in the first place. I actually looked into chemical castration and caponizing, but I'm not sure that either is fully harm-free.

I haven't heard of chemical castration! That's interesting.
Well, why would you want to castrate them?

 

[SmiYa0126]

I know this thread is mainly for discussion about food, diet, and lifestyle, but since animals are a large topic point, I kinda wanted to have a ramble and introduce y'all to Bonnie!

It's no secret that the main reason I am vegan is for animals, and environment-- so whenever I see animal cruelty, I would happily jump in head first. Most of the time, I see it online and its outside of my reach, but a couple months ago I saw an ad, for a bunny, for free. And I didn't like the images that ad had up. A little guinea pig cage, an indoor petstore bought cage, outside, with no waterproof cover, no predator proofing, no hides, no toys no hay.
And the description of a 10 month old fairly timid and "wild" bunny, free. The kids had gotten bored with her. Took a lot of persuasion to get my folks to agree, but I went ahead and visited. I didn't want to make the owner uncomfortable, but I asked the basics, vaccinated, spayed, microchipped? Nope, nope and nope. The conditions were even worse when I got there. No water, no hides, no toys no hay. Only muesli for food. I said I'd take her and they said they were just glad she "wasnt going to be snake food" (a common outcome when you give small animals away for free, here).
She bit them multiple times drawing blood while they caught and mishandled her. They placed her in the carrier and she was shaking the entire way home. My folks set the ground rule that she was not allowed indoors, and I planned to rehome her asap where she could be penned indoors, lots of room and attention.
Two days later I get her checked out at the vets, they vaccinate her, and let me know that she seems okay generally. I am still waiting on booking her for her spay.
She has a nice little set up outside, out at sunrise into her pen, tons of hay and toys and chews and space to run and hop and binky. She goes into a little hutch at night for her own safety.

I tell you, honestly, she hasnt bitten me once. occassionally she grunts and charges, but calms fast, this is just territorial behaviour which will calm once she's spayed. She lets me stroke her, occasionally she says no and hops away. It took some time to get her to eat ANYTHING but muesli, she refused vegetables, pellets and hay for days. Shes now on a better diet. She is such a sweet and clever girl, she hops into her hutch at night, knowing her routine. Shes confident and curious and friendly. She was called Pinky, but I changed it to Bonnie.

Just a reminder that rabbits are incredibly clever animals, and deserve enrichment and space, she went from sitting in a cage, to running and hopping and flopping all day. So much energy!!!
In truth, I dont think she's going anywhere. But if she stays she'll need a better set up. A pen attached to a small shed, so that she doesnt need caging at night, and has more room and a warmer space for winter.
It'll take some time to work on. But look how beautiful this girlie is!!! She turned 1 year this month.
If theres one thing I firmly believe in, its adopt dont shop. I used to work in a pet store, and I just think its a shame to breed so many babies when there are so many gorgeous bunnies already in the world needing saving.View attachment 3300136

Nice job! She looks content

 

[fox623]

I haven't heard of chemical castration! That's interesting.
Well, why would you want to castrate them?

It's *supposed* to reduce crowing, but it seems like something I'd be doing for my own benefit more than for the rooster's. I'll stick with my legally allowed girls unless we move.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I haven't heard of chemical castration! That's interesting.
Well, why would you want to castrate them?

If they're lawn ornaments, they don't necessarily need to be intact. Plus then depending on their age when they're caponized, they won't crow, which is usually what gets them in trouble.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'd love to have roosters here! There are so many in need of homes. Unfortunately, bureaucracy reigns supreme where I live, which is why there are so many roosters and cockerels in need of housing in the first place. I actually looked into chemical castration and caponizing, but I'm not sure that either is fully harm-free.

Don't know about chemical castration, but caponizing isn't exactly.... pretty. The bird is awake and conscious the whole time, but restrained. When someone is good at the procedure, it supposedly only takes a couple minutes per bird, but it's very common to lose some when learning

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Thanks! She really is.
She had a rough day yesterday shortly after I made that post-- a huge storm came on very suddenly, it was quite scary! I rushed outside, grabbed the ducks and put them in their house quickly, since they were almost blowing away. And when I got to Bonnie's pen I couldn't find her! The wind was shaking the pen, blowing everything over, thunder, lightning, the whole thing, very aggressive. The pen is sheltered, but the rain came at all angles.
Eventually I found the poor wet bunny cowering behind the hutch, took a bit of effort to catch her, but got her safe and warm in no time.
She's just fine this morning, and is more affectionate than ever before for some reason, but goodness that scared me! I was wondering whether I needed to do any big winter proofing on the pens, I've made up my mind, definitely needed!

You persevered in find her though! God has certainly gifted you with an extra dose of compassion!

 

[BelovedBirds]

Don't know about chemical castration, but caponizing isn't exactly.... pretty. The bird is awake and conscious the whole time, but restrained. When someone is good at the procedure, it supposedly only takes a couple minutes per bird, but it's very common to lose some when learning

I imagine its pretty painful for a while after though. I think I'd rather put up with the crowing, maybe move somewhere with less neighbours lol

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I imagine its pretty painful for a while after though. I think I'd rather put up with the crowing, maybe move somewhere with less neighbours lol

Honestly, I'm not sure. The videos I've seen, the bird looks upset at first (not that I blame him), but after a day or so of calm, they usually are back to their normal selves if everything went good.

So it's very possible that it's very painful, or it might be that because of how it's done, it's not as painful as one would expect. I get they're prey animals, but I feel that even prey animals would take longer than a day or so after the surgery if it was as painful as we think it is.