What to do about Roos

[ske1806]

So I may end up with 3 or more roosters. What are the implications of that? Two batches, 8 bantams, 9 regular sized, one hen house... Will they get along? Anything I can do to keep the peace? How does one get "rid" of extra roosters?

 

[cassie]

You get rid of extra roosters by putting them in the pot.

 

[patman75]

keep the best one and the rest become dinner. Why do I suddenly have a craving for chicken soup?

 

[gritsar]

If you would rather find the cockerels a home than eat them, I would suggest telling everyone and anyone that you have some cockerels needing homes.
I told everyone, even the cashier at the grocery store. I also posted signs at our library branch and our local post office. All three of my extra cockerels went to a pet home together.
You might get away with keeping two of them, provided one is the clear leader (alpha roo) and one is submissive, but probably best to only have one.
Good luck to you.

 

[ske1806]

Ok, but how and when does one get a roo ready for the pot? I mean if I just want to do that to the extra roosters and not really make a habit of having meat birds?

 

[scootermom]

There is a school that teaches nursery management near my house, many acres of land, there are lots of chickens and roosters running around. My husband talked to someone there and they don't really care, it keeps the bugs down and adds a certain atmosphere. When the final decision is made which of our chicks are roos/pullets, we'll drop them off. In our warm climate (so cal) it would be paradise for a rooster.

 

[BigSkyChickens]

I eat SO much chicken, I don't feel like I have any business worrying about the fate of one individual chicken, but I found it difficult to not be attached when I raised him from a chick.

I rehomed my Splash Cochin Mix Roo last spring. We put ads on Craigslist both in the bay area and in Sacramento, which is a more rural area.

So not only did he beat the odds coming through the hatchery, he was a lucky little roo, and went to free range with Silkies on a 5 acre farm.

If you decide he is destined for the stew-pot, you can find lots of good info. in the "Meat Birds" section of the forum.

Good luck!