What if you get a roo?

[PirateGirl]

*shakily raises arm the teensiest bit*

I was going with the premise "can't keep him" in my case I'm allowed to have roos and might keep one, but what if your ratio is way off and don't have enough ladies for him? Would you still build a whole separate coop and run to keep him? I suppose some would.

 

[Abriana]

I was going with the premise "can't keep him" in my case I'm allowed to have roos and might keep one, but what if your ratio is way off and don't have enough ladies for him? Would you still build a whole separate coop and run to keep him? I suppose some would.

Maybe. It depends on how attached I am. I would either get more ladies or another roo and keep him with the roo.

 

[ame087192]

So, you’ve just ordered chicks online or went to your local supply store and carried home chicks.
Of course, sexing young chicks can be very difficult, so there’s a 50% that you got the sex you wanted.
Few months later, after all the work and they’re finally out of the brooder, you realize one of them is a cockerel. You cannot keep a roo. Other than rehoming, what would you do?

I just want to see what you guys would do if that happened to you.

I tell people who are looking into getting hens that this is the FIRST thing to consider when getting started. I live in a city where having a rooster is a BAD idea.
So- as with all things- prevention is the best method.
If you do not want the responsibility of rehoming or killing a Roo the first step is to only look at getting sex linked or auto sexing chicks. OR buy pullets that are just about to lay. That way you know you’ve got zero Roos.
If I ever happen to end up with a roo- he’s going in the pot. Sorry not sorry.

 

[aart]

I'm betting most the folks who say "oooo I'd keep him no matter what"....
....have never had a cockerel, seen one beat the heck out of pullets, or been flogged.

 

[ronott1]

Would any of you just keep him and ignore the rules? That’s what I would do

I get turned in to the code enforcement officer if I try to keep a cockerel.

I process them

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

I don't live in town and keep a roo. The excess ones I've had have either been given away or put in the crockpot. The keep him even though they are not allowed in town thing might seem tempting, but (and I'm sure this will hurt some people's feelings) absolutely not. Not because I've never broke a rule or I'm by any means perfect, but the cities that allow people to have backyard flocks can just as easily pass ordinances to ban the housing of livestock (to include chickens) based on multiple complaints of people failing to follow the set guidelines. I think it's great that so many places allow people to have X number of hens in town. While I enjoy hearing my rooster, I also understand why most cities specify that you can't have them. They have to try and keep the majority happy. If you live somewhere that restricts roosters your best bet for you and any other chicken lover who also lives in your area is to just follow the rules. I can't say I wouldn't sneak in an extra hen or two , but a roo is going to be hard to hide.

i never thought about it that way. REALLY great point.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

I had that very problem. About 15 of my 20 chicks turned out to be roo's. At about 20 weeks old, they started fighting with each other, and my hens. I was frantic trying to figure out what to do and they were eating into my own food budget. Anyway, I was at Tractor Supply buying feed and saw a lovely Hispanic couple also buying feed. I asked him if they would like to have my roosters and his eyes lit up. They came to my house that night with a truck full of dog crates that they loaded them into. I have to admit that I cried. The couple were very sweet and told me that they'd be well taken care of but I have no doubt that they soon went to freezer camp. I also posted them on craigslist and did get a couple of responses after they had already been given away.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm betting most the folks who say "oooo I'd keep him no matter what"....
....have never had a cockerel, seen one beat the heck out of pullets, or been flogged.

Or had to pay city fines or find a home in 3 days for their beloved bird.

 

[aart]

Or had to pay city fines or find a home in 3 days for their beloved bird.

...or lose their whole flock!

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

...or lose their whole flock!

or ruin it for everyone else....