What to do with 2 roosters

[Didi84]

it's always a good policy to be honest..

I have decided to get rid of the roosters it's going to be hard cause they are like my kids

 

[AuntJamie]

I would name one Lemon Pepper and the other Garlic Salt. I would then cull, butcher, rest them in the fridge a few days. Season and cook one. Freeze the other.
This is advice inspired by true and tasty events.

 

[Didi84]

I would name one Lemon Pepper and the other Garlic Salt. I would then cull, butcher, rest them in the fridge a few days. Season and cook one. Freeze the other.
This is advice inspired by true and tasty events.

My husband and a buddy of his want to do it they both now how to butcher them.

 

[mockingbird]

If you really want to raise some chicks for your own personal enjoyment don't let anyone discourage you. I find raising chickens to be very relaxing. Just rrealize that you will need to find an outlet for any unwanted chicks and don't hatch too many. Perhaps you could choose the cockerel with the best temperament to keep? Raise him separate from the hens until he settles down?

 

[Didi84]

If you really want to raise some chicks for your own personal enjoyment don't let anyone discourage you. I find raising chickens to be very relaxing. Just rrealize that you will need to find an outlet for any unwanted chicks and don't hatch too many. Perhaps you could choose the cockerel with the best temperament to keep? Raise him separate from the hens until he settles down?

I am having mixed feelings my kids are very attached to the ones we have now.

 

[mockingbird]

I am having mixed feelings my kids are very attached to the ones we have now.

My son seems to get attached to one from every batch of chicks. And it's not always one of the ones I plan to keep lol! I have a few that we keep as pets because we are attached to them but don't include them in my breeding program.

If you are having mixed feelings maybe you could separate the boys to their own area until you are sure.

 

[jvls1942]

aunt jamie, that sounds delicious..
the next time you butcher one, let me know and i will bring along a bottle of red wine..

that's right , don't let anybody discourage you from hatching chicks, but also listen to the pitfalls and decide if you want to go through all of that.. it is not all fun and roses..

as long as DH is willing to butcher them, let him do it.. eventually you will get a taste for fresh chickens and raise some just for butchering..

in the future, you can always get a rooster
if you want one.

remember, chickens are not there forever.
their life span is short, usually..

 

[apryl29]

Since I am a stay at home mom I don't care I am doing it for fun not for the money to be honest with you.

My girls want to do the same thing.. raise babies and sell them, or raise them til they're a few months old for people who only want a couple & don't want to deal w/ the early stages w/ the heat lamp, etc.. but I don't know how much of a market there'd be for that where I live. There is the min 6 chicks thing at the local stores though which I think would hinder some backyard farmers who maybe only want 2 or 3 birds or those who don't want to risk getting a surprise roo like we did.

 

[mockingbird]

I will be processing excess cockerels for the first time in the fall. I have prepared my kids for the fact that we can't keep them all and that this is where chicken comes from. Also that this is the cost of raising chicks.
Has anyone priced organic free-range chicken in the grocery store recently? Last time I looked a 5 lb chicken was almost $16. Mine aren't technically organic, but they do free-range on a chemical-free property and I know exactly what they are being fed.
My son is cool with it and asked if he can help. I think I will wait until I get the process down before I let him help though.

 

[apryl29]

I've thought about doing the same (not myself though, but taking him some place), but now we only have 2 (a leghorn & a bantam) and I kind of like having the leghorn to protect my girls.. We'll see how things go over the next few months though. He's kind of aggressive and I'd like to get a calmer roo, but he's great w/ the girls and he's not hurting them... Like I said.. we'll see how things go.