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

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Craigslist is a great way to sell them!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I eat mine. I cried when I processed him, but I was disgusted at the thought of burying him and letting his meat go to waste. I would not judge other people for not eating the meat, but personally, I couldn't bear to waste it. I don't think that will ever get easier but here are the facts:

1) I love chickens
2) I love hatching babies under my broody
3) I love eating chicken
4) Babies turn into boys
5) No body wants the roosters
6) I will not give up my chickens or hatching babies
7) Therefore, if I cannot give away a rooster, I must be resolved to kill it
8) And if I kill it, I refuse to let it's body go to waste.

I realize for you, he was an accidental cockerel so hopefully you won't get any more on accident. Start advertising for him now, if no one claims him wait and hope for the best that you're not reported, and in the meantime you need to plan for the worst (dispatching).

If you do dispatch him, let the body rest in the fridge for 3-4 days. Trust me it will take that long to start feeling better about the situation, and then when you roast him enjoy the best chicken you'll probably ever eat.

 

[mintdeer]

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 just wanted to say I've run into the same thing! The one I found required you to give them all your hens as well (because they "don't support breaking up families" ), sign an agreement to never buy or breed birds (not just chickens! any birds!) and to "adopt" them instead, pay a $20 rehoming fee, provide a $300 coop for it to live in, and a monthly $10 donation to support the bird's care. Completely ridiculous!!! (I won't name names but they're easily findable by googling "rooster retention program" if you want to see for yourself!)

We had 2 roosters last summer and one was a real jerk so we gave him away to a guy on craigslist who advertised himself as a "rooster rescue". He just had a bachelor flock as pest control on his property. Or maybe it was all a lie and he ate them, I don't really care. I need to get rid of another rooster now and was trying to find him again (hence how I came across the insane rooster rescue place above....)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I just wanted to say I've run into the same thing! The one I found required you to give them all your hens as well (because they "don't support breaking up families" ), sign an agreement to never buy or breed birds (not just chickens! any birds!) and to "adopt" them instead, pay a $20 rehoming fee, provide a $300 coop for it to live in, and a monthly $10 donation to support the bird's care. Completely ridiculous!!! (I won't name names but they're easily findable by googling "rooster retention program" if you want to see for yourself!)

We had 2 roosters last summer and one was a real jerk so we gave him away to a guy on craigslist who advertised himself as a "rooster rescue". He just had a bachelor flock as pest control on his property. Or maybe it was all a lie and he ate them, I don't really care. I need to get rid of another rooster now and was trying to find him again (hence how I came across the insane rooster rescue place above....)

I'm sorry, I just had to point out that they admit *sometimes* they keep males and females together. Wonder how seperating them to same sexed flocks is any different than breaking up families?

And wonder if those mixed flocks are more expensive birds?

 

[nmr]

Does anyone actually eat silkies? I have 3 boys and am struggling with what to do.

 

[3KillerBs]

Does anyone actually eat silkies? I have 3 boys and am struggling with what to do.

Yes. People do eat silkies. Chicken is chicken.

In some Asian communities they are a delicacy that commands premium prices.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In some countries, China for example, the black meat of a Silkie is considered a delicacy. It's just chicken with dark meat.

A university professor of poultry science got to visit China as part of a research project. He said he saw warehouses full of Silkies being raised for the meat market. Your Silkies are probably bantams so there won't be much meat there but people eat quail. Your choice.

 

[nmr]

Yes. People do eat silkies. Chicken is chicken.

In some Asian communities they are a delicacy that commands premium prices.

I know it's popular in Asian communities, I've only found recipes for soup so I was starting to wonder if that's the most common/best use.

I was hoping to find an Asian restaurant with it on the menu, but so far no luck. I've found them frozen in a couple stores, but they looked really freezer burned.

In some countries, China for example, the black meat of a Silkie is considered a delicacy. It's just chicken with dark meat.

A university professor of poultry science got to visit China as part of a research project. He said he saw warehouses full of Silkies being raised for the meat market. Your Silkies are probably bantams so there won't be much meat there but people eat quail. Your choice.

Yeah, my husband wants to do quail at some point.

One of our males is starting to get aggressive with me, so I'm feeling less and less bad about giving him away or eating him, but he's such a gorgeous fluffy bird.

 

[MountainWoman73]

I usually make soup with mine. After cleaning the birds I put them into a stock pot for a few hours. I strain the stock into another pot, discard the bones and set the meat aside. Then I add my veggies, salt and seasonings directly to the jars and divide the meat equally between the jars. Top with stock, pressure can for 90 minutes.

When I open the jars I add a little extra water and either wild rice or noodles for a quick meal.

We have also done coq au vin or pot pie, but this is the easiest.

 

[Brooks_]

I just wanted to say I've run into the same thing! The one I found required you to give them all your hens as well (because they "don't support breaking up families" ), sign an agreement to never buy or breed birds (not just chickens! any birds!) and to "adopt" them instead, pay a $20 rehoming fee, provide a $300 coop for it to live in, and a monthly $10 donation to support the bird's care. Completely ridiculous!!! (I won't name names but they're easily findable by googling "rooster retention program" if you want to see for yourself!)

We had 2 roosters last summer and one was a real jerk so we gave him away to a guy on craigslist who advertised himself as a "rooster rescue". He just had a bachelor flock as pest control on his property. Or maybe it was all a lie and he ate them, I don't really care. I need to get rid of another rooster now and was trying to find him again (hence how I came across the insane rooster rescue place above....)

Also, they're 501(c)3. At $10 each per month, I don't see how they don't make a profit. I do, but that's a different conversation.