Chubbicthe2nd
Songster
So our straight run chicks grew up to be 50% rooster as is expected, but our hens only pullets turned out to only be 2/3 female.
Now we have 8 roosters and 10 hens, and we can only keep three roosters at the most. Probably 2 is better. (They all free range and there are some predators about, so the extra roosters are useful).
We were worried they would fight, and then they didn't fight much so we were happy, but now it's concerning because they have no jealousy at all, and seem to all share the same favorite hens. It's a little bit sickening the way they chase around one hen, and all take turns over and over. I try not to anthropomorphize animals, but it seemed a bit much. The hen will get increasingly distressed, by the 3rd or 4th rooster in a row she's pretty upset. This could be impacting egg production I heard, stressed hens.
So, we decided to eat the roosters. This has been a shoestring budget operation, and pluckers are very expensive. How long does it take to pluck a chicken by hand? I'm just trying to get myself ready for this. Also, does anyone know where to find videos that show you how to humanely kill a rooster? I can't find them on YouTube. I've read descriptions, but I think a picture or video would help me know what I'm doing a bit more.
Now we have 8 roosters and 10 hens, and we can only keep three roosters at the most. Probably 2 is better. (They all free range and there are some predators about, so the extra roosters are useful).
We were worried they would fight, and then they didn't fight much so we were happy, but now it's concerning because they have no jealousy at all, and seem to all share the same favorite hens. It's a little bit sickening the way they chase around one hen, and all take turns over and over. I try not to anthropomorphize animals, but it seemed a bit much. The hen will get increasingly distressed, by the 3rd or 4th rooster in a row she's pretty upset. This could be impacting egg production I heard, stressed hens.
So, we decided to eat the roosters. This has been a shoestring budget operation, and pluckers are very expensive. How long does it take to pluck a chicken by hand? I'm just trying to get myself ready for this. Also, does anyone know where to find videos that show you how to humanely kill a rooster? I can't find them on YouTube. I've read descriptions, but I think a picture or video would help me know what I'm doing a bit more.
