What to do with a rooster?

[HeidiG]

I bought my first batch of chickens from My Pet Chicken this spring. It turns out that one of my EE's is a rooster. Unfortunately I can't keep him, and have no idea what to do with him. I've contacted a couple of farms in the area, and none are in need of them. I don't want to post an ad just anywhere because I don't want someone to take him that will use him for fighting.

So, I'm at a loss. He might end up becoming dinner. Any suggestions?

He's a beautiful white EE rooster. Hand raised, so very docile. Although VERY vocal.

 

[luvchicks8]

craigslist free rooster

 

[bluie]

is there a petting zoo nearby that will take him?

 

[HeidiG]

No one the petting zoo. They all only have hens because they're afraid a roo could attack people. I tend to agree, lol!

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Home him via criagslist or mail him to me LOL

 

[Chickiemama1010]

unfortunately, there arent too many open positions for roosters. Even gentle hand raised ones. And most ppl that do want a roo already have one. 2 adult roos will almost always fight. Especially if they are confined and they are among the ladies and even more so in small flocks. I have heard of folks keeping several roos, but they were all hatched together, and are in a "rooster pen" and never come into contact w/hens. Seems silly to keep them that way to me...people with roos have them to protect hens and make babies...hard to do that if the hens never meet the roos...
I dont know about your area, but in mine but at any given time there are 3 or 4 ads on craigslist for free roos. No one wants them...

You have 3 options as I see it if keeping him is just not a possibility for you.
1) eat him
2) let someone else eat him
3)give him away, and forget about it. I dont condone cock fighting by any means...but there are no guarantees what will become of him it you craigslist him away

the only other thing I can think of is contacting a local 4H chapter. There just may be a kid looking for a roo to show, or breed or something. he would likely have to be good show quality not just a good boy to pull that off. But it doesnt hurt to make a phone call and hang on to him for a little longer if you can

good luck to both of you

 

[mamarosa]

I am having the same problem, Rudy is a beautiful RIR, VERY vocal....he is 2 now and no one wants a rooster, as much as we love him
he will be soup in the fall. He has been getting more aggressive as he ages and karate kicked my 6 year old grandson in the pen area
Sometimes ya got to do what you got to do
good luck

 

[TyrannosaurusChix]

Gosh!!i guess i am lucky? i had one rooster to begin with and got a bigger one, and there was some bottom entanglement for a few days to where i thought id lose my mind if i found a dead rooster and i caused it. they worked out their differences, however and once in a while the big one will only chase the smaller sized one when he is seen tapping on one of the agreed monster's hens.

they sort of have their own assigned bizzos.

i also have a crele cockerel that hasnt crowed yet. the women beat him up.. poor guy but hes beautiful.
i have a japanese bantam rooster and no one bothers him at ALL.. in fact he gets up on the full sized hens and rides them like a horse( does nothing) but it cracks me up every time!


I have a 17 week old that is crowing and the smaller rooster postured to him but nothing has come of it, however, i think hes going to be leaving our farmette soon.







anyways.. onto your lovely guy... craigslist him, if you are that worried about fighting( i assume you are in a city type area for that concern) just put that you require a name and address to drop him off at, make sure he has living conditions set up and write the address down. you can maybe request a "ride by" by the animal control to make sure he hasnt been fought in a couple weeks or so?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Do you have a feed store near you? Mine takes in roosters and rehomes them.

 

[Happy Krab]

You might try your local freecycle yahoo group. I have 5 hens and thought I didn't want a rooster but recently changed my mind. I found a beautiful rooster from a lady that had to many. He has a nice home now.