My Rooster Louie Must Go!

[BeeJayBird]

Louie was Louise until we found out differently. We were never supposed to get a rooster with the group we got. He’s a big beautiful Orpington about 2 years old. We only have 5 hens now as a hawk got two a few months ago and another died, all of which was heartbreaking. Our hens wear saddles but they are not helping enough. They are raw in places, feathers off their heads. We are separating them tomorrow and he just has to go. I’m so sad. I’m on FB groups but others seem to be in same boat trying to find homes for their roosters. I don’t think anyone will want him. We can’t do it ourselves, so will have to find vet willing to do it. Until then, any suggestions on how folks handled separating might help.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I usually post my unwanted cockerels in the classified ads and some nice gentleman comes and takes him to freezer camp for me. If you don’t want him going to freezer camp you might ask for a small rehoming fee but you will also have to be very honest with whoever is getting him.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Yes I know two years is kind of old to eat but some people know how to deal with that and seem perfectly happy to eat a free old chicken lol

 

[WingItRanch]

I actually think you might have a good chance of finding a home for him. It sounds like he's a good rooster and mature... he just needs more ladies. Honestly this is the exact type of rooster I'm looking for! I know there are people out there wanting a good rooster and if his only crime is overmating then he just needs a larger flock of hens. Try advertising and you may be surprised.

Most people are posting younger cockerels on Facebook and those are a dime a dozen. A mature roo friendly towards humans is more desirable.

 

[MARTFAMCHICKENS]

Is there any livestock auctions in your area? If so, take the unwanted rooster so people who really want him can bid on him to try and get him. You may earn yourself a tiny profit by doing so, too!

Is the hen-to-rooster ratio relatively small in your flock? A good ratio would be 1 rooster per every 8-10 hens in this case scenario.

You could choose what you do with him, these are just suggestions.

 

[Vero272]

Did you find a home for him?

 

[McChooky]

Louie was Louise until we found out differently. We were never supposed to get a rooster with the group we got. He’s a big beautiful Orpington about 2 years old. We only have 5 hens now as a hawk got two a few months ago and another died, all of which was heartbreaking. Our hens wear saddles but they are not helping enough. They are raw in places, feathers off their heads. We are separating them tomorrow and he just has to go. I’m so sad. I’m on FB groups but others seem to be in same boat trying to find homes for their roosters. I don’t think anyone will want him. We can’t do it ourselves, so will have to find vet willing to do it. Until then, any suggestions on how folks handled separating might help.

I had 2 roosters identical breeds but one was bigger and had a hard time mating my little leghorn hens without breaking their feathers.I gave him to a friend with Rhode Island Reds and he's thrilled! 5 hens usually isn't enough for a younger rooster.On the plus side Louie isn't aggressive so he should be easy to give away.I live in southern WV. What part of Virginia do you live in?