Weird things only poultry people get.

[Ihavesomechickens]

Do you freeze yogurt for them? That's an idea, I hadn't thought about that before.

I do, and I feed it to them on hot days. They love it, and it haves vitamins and stuff to help them with the heat. It’s chicken fro yo, except not creamy at all.

 

[black_cat]

There is some stigma going on, but I also think that in some cases, it is literally that much of the current population of chicken owners are people who live in suburban or urban environments, and either:
A) Are legally prevented by law to have a rooster
B) The noise restrictions in their area prevent them from having a rooster
C) They are not allowed to have more than 4 or 5 chickens at a time, so can't have roosters because of the ratio
D) They do not have enough space/a good location with the proper amount of space to have enough hens per rooster
E) Have jerk neighbors that prevent them from having a rooster
F) Have family members that prevent them from having a rooster
G) Some of the above
H) All of the above
Because most people are not allowed to have roosters because of aforementioned reasons, hatcheries do not see a very high demand for them. The people that can and want roosters usually have plenty from hatching their own eggs, so they don't need to order and from a hatchery unless they are looking for a specific breed.
Because hatcheries cannot control how many cockerels they hatch, it's no surprise to me that they often have extras that they have to sadly dispose of. I won't say that I agree with the inhumane ways some hatcheries deal with them, but they have to do something. Rooster stigma is only part of the problem.

I'd actually like to hear people's thoughts on this. Agree? Disagree? Should I start a thread for it?

 

[black_cat]

I do, and I feed it to them on hot days. They love it, and it haves vitamins and stuff to help them with the heat. It’s chicken fro yo, except not creamy at all.

That's such a good idea! I'll have to try that out. Mine seem to like pecking at ice cubes, actually. I unfortunately can't do treats right now as I am out of grit.

 

[birdlover2]

I do, and I feed it to them on hot days. They love it, and it haves vitamins and stuff to help them with the heat. It’s chicken fro yo, except not creamy at all.

That's cool and such a great idea!

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I'd actually like to hear people's thoughts on this. Agree? Disagree? Should I start a thread for it?

I agree. If I ever get out of debt and get a better paying job, I’m planning on moving out farther into the country and opening up a rooster sanctuary. I will take every rooster offered to me, except sick ones, and give them buds and a nice home. But I’m not planning on getting out of debt any time soon.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

That's such a good idea! I'll have to try that out. Mine seem to like pecking at ice cubes, actually. I unfortunately can't do treats right now as I am out of grit.

Yogurt can be given without grit, as you don’t need to chew it.

 

[birdlover2]

I'd actually like to hear people's thoughts on this. Agree? Disagree? Should I start a thread for it?

You should probably start a seperate thread, because it will be a long one with lots of strong opinions...and not too related to this thread

 

[LizzzyJo]

My girls free range most days, but if I have a chicken sitter I tell them to keep them in the run.
I tell the sitter to not let them out ‘no matter what they say!’ And the sitters are always confused at first that chickens would be smart enough to try to convince people of things.
After I get back the sitters always say ‘they did try to tell me they were allowed out!’

 

[black_cat]

Yogurt can be given without grit, as you don’t need to chew it.

Really good point! I was wondering about soft treats like that, but didn't want to risk it. I need to get some plain yoghurt thought, I only have the fruity ones with added sugar that are delish for me but not great for the girls.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

My girls free range most days, but if I have a chicken sitter I tell them to keep them in the run.
I tell the sitter to not let them out ‘no matter what they say!’ And the sitters are always confused at first that chickens would be smart enough to try to convince people of things.
After I get back the sitters always say ‘they did try to tell me they were allowed out!’

My chickens just sit by the door and stare at the birds jumping around outside for most of the day, happily staying in their run. But I have had times where my Buff Orpington pullet has convinced me free ranging would be a good idea.