What to do with Roosters:

[cattbird]

I'm going to be incubating some eggs soon, to keep Silkie chickens as pets.

I live in a built up area (sorry forgot the US term)! But it means my neighbours wont be impressed with the Cock-a-doodle-dooing

How soon, and how do you sex the Silkies?

What do I do with the Roosters? I could never cull it, especially if you cant sex them for a few weeks.

Out of 6 eggs will the chances of getting Roosters be 3/6, or higher? I think I read Roosters were more common.. but I'm not sure?

Thankyou.

 

[Becky_H]

Silkies are very hard to sex -- I've heard it can be more than 6 months before you can. As for what to do with the roosters: I have no idea. The only options are pretty much rehome, cull, or take them to a vet, animal shelter, or somewhere else to *be* put down.

As far as I know roosters/hens are a 50/50 ratio.

 

[Mahonri]

My February hatch out of 12 I got 4 roos. Not bad heh?

Good luck.

You have about 3 options.

Rehome,
Keep them and pray your neighbors don't mind
Eat them. Silkie Chicken will tell you they are good.

 

[ZooMummzy]

Quote:
I have this same issue with my Silkies. Rehoming is an option; eating is not. Are Silkie roosters louder than standard roosters? They are so tame in general and don't even act "rooster-like". I have at least one, probably 2 Silkies roos in my batch. I really do not want to part with either of them but I know my neighbors will not be happy if I have a rooster so I was just wondering.