What if you get a roo?

[tripletfeb]

Happened to me. Bought 6 chicks (pullets) at Rural King, one ended up a roo. Even though I loved the crowing, as did all my neighbors, I had to rehome him. Can't have roosters where I live and I refuse to be the rule breaker that messes up the ability to have chickens. It's not fair when you follow the rules so you can have something, but someone else doesn't want to follow those same rules, then ends up messing it up for everyone.

 

[chickenmama109]

I keep my roos lol right know I have to with 11 gens

 

[andreanar]

Always happens to me! Whether its buying day olds, or a broody hatching. I either give them away, or have my brother in law process them for us to eat or make dog/cat food. I don't keep roos. Altho I have a young cockerel right now that was broody hatched. So far he is being a good boy, but hormones haven't totally kicked in yet. And I think maybe having so many older girls in the flock might keep him in line. We shall see.

All my chicken keeping friends avoid me when I have new chicks, cause they are sick of me trying to give them my boys!

 

[MillersFarm]

eat em' They taste much better raising them yourself than chickens you get at super markets or grocery stores.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I think the original situation was that Rooster’s are not allowed.
I don’t know what your town/city is like.
If you risk it. Understand you could have consequences that could extend to other chicken owners too.
What do you tell your children?
“I know it’s against the laws but I’m going to do it anyways”
Or....do you teach responsibility?
Tough choices?
Following through and making the best decision is a good lesson.

 

[Killer Tomato]

When I first got chickens, the rules regarding roosters in town were "complaint driven" according to the police chief. (I *casually* might have asked him about it, "Someone, who isn't me, might have a rooster....any law against this, sir?"). Basically, if your neighbors were ok, so were you. I was blessed with neighbors who were old farm ladies and lurrrrvvveeed those rooster noises, "I love waking up to the sounds of crowing! Reminds me of the farm!" I was very polite about it though, and kept my hens in the coop until 7:30 am every morning, just in case.

Unfortunately, my roo, who was a supposed to be a pullet, got his teen hormones, and super human/pet aggressive. Attacking our 14 year old cat, or 9 year old bunny (who was in his exercise pen, minding his own business!) was NOT cool. While *we* as humans, could work on re-training the rooster, and watch our backs, we could not possibly keep our pets safe. We tried for months to no avail.

I do not blame our rooster in any way, nor do I call him "mean". His job was to protect and service the flock, and in his little brain he was doing that. Would I call him aggressive? yes. Wily, yes. I was one of those that thought I would keep him, no matter what, but it was just not a good fit. He's on a huge farm now, with an experienced Chicken Mama that he doesn't even challenge. She sends me pictures, and updates.

We had many levels to our "Rooster Plan," with re-homing as the first step, and having an experienced chicken/farm neighbor teach me how to dispatch with dignity as the final one, if all else failed.

They have since changed the rules that no roosters are allowed in city limits, but it's still basically "complaint driven." I am currently contemplating adopting a tiny little Sizzle Roo, at my doctor's suggestion (which I thought was rather progressive of the traditional medical biz!). Doc said I could get it certified as an "emotional support animal" and the city could see me in court if there were any issues.

I'm currently working with city council to change the laws to allow roosters again, in the meantime.

 

[Killer Tomato]

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.

The scar on my nose is shaped like male genitalia, and over an inch long. The ugly scab was there for a week. It is just coincidence that I have a red Sharpie on my shirt that moment.

I was COMPLETELY cured of any "oooo, I'll keep him no matter what" feelings.

You may laugh -- the Weiner scar is a hilarious leftover of Dennis, the rooster!

(ps Bobbi-J and I are now BFFs)

 

[AnimalGeek23]

@aart you're right, I have no experience with keeping roosters So I wanted all of your opinions.

 

[AnimalGeek23]

I could never slaughter a chicken, for it is illegal in my small town and we have to get a permit
And... we don't know how to.
S I'd just send him to a local farm...

 

[fruitcrisps1416]

One of our pullets, Maya, ended up being a roo (found out last weekend. We called our council and found out that roosters were allowed in our suburb and we were overjoyed. We spend every day playing with him and he sleeps in our wardrobe now every night.

I think we are losing the battle to his increasing hormones though. No matter how much time we spend giving him cuddles and no matter how much we try to contain his crowing (seperate coop away from boundary fences) he is still increasingly aggressive to our silkies and his crowing is getting louder each day.

It's only a matter of time before neighbours complain and the local council seizes him.

I've contacted countless animal sanctuaries and rescues in our state but the reality is there's a huge surplus of unwanted roosters in Victoria and pretty much every rescue is at full capacity. The seller doesn't want him back either :/

At the moment we are doing our best to spend as much time with him as we can and ensure he is not bothering neighbours too much but I've heard that roosters can live for a looong time and I'm not sure how much longer we can keep up with him and his natural instincts.

My boyfriend's uncle has a a large hobby farm but he is at full capacity with roosters. If we end up sending him there he will probably be culled but I suppose at least we know that he will do it humanely (in comparison of giving him to total strangers) and we won't have to do it ourselves