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What to do with rooster...

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by halfbakedtulip, Dec 26, 2013.

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  1. Dec 26, 2013 #1
    halfbakedtulip

    halfbakedtulip Out Of The Brooder

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    May 9, 2013
    Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
    While you seasoned chicken keepers will probably think this is the dumbest question ever I am truly at a loss.

    Some of you may remember a few weeks ago when I posted looking for thoughts on wether my Milles fleur/silkie cross was in fact a rooster instead of a hen. Well this morning I heard the most awful screeching ever coming from the coop. Charlotte is indeed a boy and decided boxing day was the day to try and cock a doodle for the first time. Merry Christmas to me...

    I live in a town. We just got the bylaw passed for chickens. It is very clear that roosters are NOT allowed. I know my neighbours will not be that sympathetic as the house beside me (where I rescued my sebright from) had 4 roosters and the crowed nonstop and the animal control was here every second day. I have put ads up on kijiji and craigslist etc.. but unfortunately there have been no takers today and I am running out of time. I figure 48 -72 hours is the maximum I can keep him without having animal control and the bylaw guy at my door.

    So what do I do with a rooster who is maybe 1lb if noone wants him? Also and I know I sound daft but if it comes down to it do local small slaughterhouses have humane killing? Should I go the way of vet? Would a vet put him down?

    Thank you...I am so heartbroken as "she" is really the sweetest chicken :(
     
  3. Dec 26, 2013 #2
    granny hatchet

    granny hatchet Tastes like chicken Premium Member

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    madison Indiana
    so i guess putting him down yourself is out of the question? not to sound crud but if you dont want to im sure someone would. at that young of an age he would be tender. im sorry
     
  5. Dec 26, 2013 #3
    halfbakedtulip

    halfbakedtulip Out Of The Brooder

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    May 9, 2013
    Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
    According to the bylaw we arent supposed to BUT I like to break rules lol. I just dont know how to do it...and if I could do it. My soldier husband speaking in what if terms says he could but he is reallllly mushy so I dont know sigh.
     
  7. Dec 26, 2013 #4
    bobbi-j

    bobbi-j Chicken Obsessed

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    On the MN prairie.
    It's not a dumb question. There are people on here all the time trying to figure out what to do with unplanned roosters. I'm not sure where you live, but a slaughterhouse might be an option if you can't do it yourself. I'm sure a vet would do it for a price. It just depends on how much it's worth to you, I guess. Here, we'd process and eat him, but we are farmers - DH grew up raising and processing chickens, so it's second nature to him. After many years of not wanting to butcher my "pretty" chickens (the ugly white ones were no problem), I have resolved that it's what we're going to do, and made my peace with it. I know that our birds don't suffer when we put them down ourselves (using the hatched and stump method - it's not pretty, but it is quick and painless).
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2013
  9. Dec 26, 2013 #5
    halfbakedtulip

    halfbakedtulip Out Of The Brooder

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    May 9, 2013
    Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
    Well captain squishy just gave me quite a few good reasons why that isnt a good idea. The first and foremost the blood and it attracting critters and our dogs
     

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