We had hatched a couple chicks with broody hens - when I went in to check on chicks yesterday I noticed the famous red comb appearing on 1 chick "sniffle" - In all honesty it's hard to decide what to do at this point - our boy already had produced 3 Roos to 1 hen in a batch and we still have to get rid of them - now another one- I'm starting to believe it may be easier to cull them as chicks rather than allow them to mature and then have to figure out where to place them then find a home - I personally can't cull a chick as I tried once and I couldn't see through the tears- most say "it's just a chicken, and it's what comes with farm life". But as much as I've told myself that it doesn't matter it's still a life and a baby at that- my fiancée has no problem doing the deed - but I was wondering if I was the only one who just doesn't have the heart to do the deed even tho it needs to be done
I don't know how to ask this without seeming rude but do you eat your chickens? If so then I'd grow them out and send them to freezer camp and or sell them to someone who does.
The second thought was maybe that particular roo throws boys rather than girls? I know nothing about genetics of chickens but maybe if you could separate him so he is not fertilizing the eggs and try another roo and see if you get the same results.
and no I could not cull a chick even though I have ferrets who would eat them I just couldn't do it.
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