White Leghorn: Pullet or Cockerel?

[hypnofrogstevie]

I heard people saying to limit down the feed he gets and give him lots of exersize

 

[Peep's Family]

We can exercise him by having the kids chase him around the yard, but limiting the feed is tough because we only have one coop, which he shares with the barred rocks.

 

[silkiechicken]

Well... he is at a good time to make dinner...

It may be hard, but how bout turning this into a lesson about the food system? Like, learning where your food came from? I butchered birds when I was young and think it is a good thing to be able to teach the younger people of today that the shrink wrapped meats in the store came from a live animal. Maybe it can be part of the classroom project extending on to the circle of life? It really is up to you. Butchering isn't that hard of a job. The hardest part is the actual taking of the life. The rest is cake compared to that. If you are interested, you can search though the meat bird section for how people have done it. Just don't forget to age him in the fridge for 2 days or so, so the meat would be tender. Fresh chicken does taste much better and is not mushy like store meat.

But on a restricted diet, he looks good for his age and might be able to make it to a full year, or even longer before he gives out. Just have to be very pro active at getting him to move. Having coop mates that are not boilers helps out with that respect. But then again, he may crow in that year which means you'll have to find him a new home.

I personally would make dinner out of him, but not everyone will agree to that.

 

[LilPeeps]

Looks like at least one of your barred rocks may be a boy...

 

[silkiechicken]

Careful at chasing him. It would be hard on his legs and his heart can give out. They can be very heat sensitive and I've had a few 8 weekers just fall over dead when it got to 75F outside. They were perfectly healthy and just died on the grass in the yard.

 

[Peep's Family]

Uh oh. We were getting worried about that. One (M'shell) has been taller and more aggressive than the other two. But we're less attached to her, and the farmer who sold her to us promised to switch her out if needed.

As for dining on Peep, I can see your point, and if it were any of the others I would even consider it. But Abby's a borderline vegetarian as it is, and I think it would push her over the edge.

 

[LilPeeps]

Do you have any pics of the BRs?

 

[SamG347]

That is deffinetly a rooster...and either a White Rock or a Cornish cross.
Have u ever thought of just asking the neighbors if they would mind crowing? Just tell them if it bothers you please come let us know and we will get rid of him.
Good Luck and that bird would make a fine roaster.

 

[Peep's Family]

Most of our neighbors are early risers anyway, so they may be fine with some crowing.

I fear we may actually have two barred rock roosters and only one hen now that I'm starting to read intensively on the subject. Here are the photos:

Oh, and are you absolutely sure this isn't the "slender body" of a white leghorn?

 

[silkiechicken]

Ah, then let peep live out his life in full with your family and enjoy his stay.. I say you have two BR roosters there. At 3 months, the girls shouldn't yet have any red in their combs.

I am 100% sure that is not the slender body of a leghorn. It is however a very good looking cornish x. Even a white rock won't be that much bigger than your BR if they are the same age.