What do you do with cockerels that you can’t keep?

[my21chickens]

well this is no help but I keep my roosters or I give them to breeders

 

[writerskramp]

I’m not sure where to post this, sorry if this isn’t the right place. But I have a 7 week old Olive Egger cockerel. He did a cute little baby voice CHICK A DOODLE DOO this morning. Not loud, but it was obvious. We cannot have roosters where we live. I have posted him on Craigslist, various local chicken/farm groups on FB, and MeWe. The humane society here doesn’t take “livestock”. I do not know what to do with this bird. I’d rather if he didn’t go to someone that was going to eat him (he’s so small anyway), but I’m getting desperate. I did find a rooster rescue group, but they require you to forfeit your entire flock and sign a contract saying you’ll never get more chickens and basically commit to being vegan . I know lots of folks on here have ended up with accidental cockerels - what did you end up doing?

Roast chicken.. Any time you see the word therefore, see why it is there for.. If it is free range you can skip plucking, just skin it like wild game.. Done my share, not happy about it.. but that's life. Go down in the run and the chickens will eat you, return the favor prior too. "accidental cockerels - what did you end up doing?" Kept em', five in a flock of thirty five.. and no predator problems. That is what they are 'therefore'. Like vegetables but no vegan.. nor chicken virgin.

 

[Aapomp831]

I don't think he dropped people off to live but all these idiots that don't like my post must do that they all about cuttin somethings head off. Bunch of weirdos.

It’s not fair to call people idiots... some are just trying to bring lightheartedness to a difficult situation. Everyone sees it differently; I currently have 7 cockerels just hatch and I already know most of them will be dinner between my neighbors and I.... it’s ok, they’ll still get to live a nice 5 to 6 months on our beautiful, picturesque farm and have a way better life than most cockerels born. Chickens can be anything from pets to food; what truly matters is how they are treated and cared for while alive.

 

[Aapomp831]

Have 5 on my 85 acres that run free no problems what so ever.

Most people don’t have the luxury of having 85 acres.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Have you asked your milkman if he knows anyone that will have him or any local petting farms.

Milkmen are still a thing?

 

[writerskramp]

Most people don’t have the luxury of having 85 acres.

Had ten once..

 

[Folly's place]

Here we have 50+ acres, and predators to match. Free range chickens might last a couple of hours, maybe overnight once, and that's it.
And in Michigan, at least dumping animals out is illegal, and should be.
Enough!
Mary

 

[writerskramp]

Milkmen are still a thing?

Yep, don't think so.. Remember as a child hearing the milkman at 5AM coming up the steps.. every morning. Would meet him at the door as he put the milk in the milk box daily.. I once met him at the door and exclaimed, "My mother wanted me too tell you she forgot some stuff on her order.. Chocolate milk, chocolate ice cream and chocolate pudding. Went and grabbed the biggest spoon I could find in the drawer and consumed as fast as possible.. Setting on the floor of the candy striped carpeted living room.. Knew the gig was up soon.. That milkman never talked to me again.. said he was almost fired.. but I was satisfied.

 

[writerskramp]

Here we have 50+ acres, and predators to match. Free range chickens might last a couple of hours, maybe overnight once, and that's it.
And in Michigan, at least dumping animals out is illegal, and should be.
Enough!
Mary

Cat's, dogs and chickens to Guinea pigs.. at my door. Had kids.. Even a ferret once.. ran in, run around and went back out, my only question was can we keep him..? Once was laying under my car working on it.. A neighbor drove up the drive, looked around and dumped out two kittens. Once a feral half coyote and collie mix showed up on my doorstep, pregnant. Had to step over her as she would not move and she growled.. Later I left the door open to see what she would do. Came in looked around and came up to me. Held out the back of my hand, she sniffed. I petted, Foxey was a love story. I have never turned anything away.. and now two dogs and 35 chickens later! Miss Kitty didn't make it across the highway.. adopted her because they were putting her down as the older cat didn't like her.. best I ever knew. Your neighbor.

 

[Aapomp831]

Had ten once..

Nice! I would love 10 acres but most of it would need to be wooded... it’s already so annoying mowing the 2 acres I have!