What to do with an accidental rooster?

RedBreasted

Songster
8 Years
Sep 21, 2014
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I haven’t owned a rooster in 3-4 years, my first one, I had to butcher it becuase it was a noise complaint. I live in an urban residential neighborhood although I’m more close to farm lands then the city. This year I bought 4 chicks from the same hatchery I got my rooster at years ago. 3/4 of it were hens and as of now as I’m typing this, I’m awoke from the one rooster crowing. Not sure if it’s an Ameraucana or Easter Egger but looks like an EE. Also got another one the same and the other were silver laced Wyandotte and an unknown breed. So the hatchery charged me extra for the rooster and that unknown breed that I told them I wanted an Amber White (definitely does not look like one). But that’s not the point, the point is I do not want to have to kill a rooster again if I had to kill a rooster then it feels like I’ll have to kill a living human. Nobody is wanting a rooster in my state so there’s no point in selling or giving away. He’s only about 3 months old so a youngin’. Does anyone currently own a rooster in such urban, residential area? Are there any information you would like? I went online and I found the rooster collar but I have heard many deaths involving this so I’m not sure if I should approach the collar option, thoughts? My last rooster crowed at around 5-6am. Since is summer now, this one crows, said in the title, at 7am although I woke up at around 7:45am so a little later (all times are in mountain standard time).
 
Imo, if you can’t own males in your area and the neighbours find it to be a nuisance, it’s best to let him go to someone who can own roosters legally and without bothering anyone.
I’ve used the collar but I found it just upset my cockerels so I gave the boys to a cockerel sanctuary.
I think, if they can’t crow, don’t own them.
Just my opinion and people will likely disagree, as I have read many threads on owners successfully keeping males in built up areas, usually at the cost of the roosters comfort and natural, instinctual behaviour and potentially, their life.
 
If you can’t kill him you shouldn’t be buying chickens , unless they are sex link. Killingva rooster is not like killing a human ?? You can’t make him be quiet , you can’t keep him , maybe your vet could “ put him to sleep for you?”
 
Have you asked your hatchery to give you another hen ?give them the rooster back?

Call them they might help you!
Good luck
I am going back to the hatchery. Here is a picture for the breeds. They got the silver laced wyandotte and Easter Egger hens correct but the other 2 was a mistake. Have you’ve ever experienced this before like expecting a hen but it’s a rooster?
 

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You know I can’t honestly say , the red on it’s head doesn’t mean it’s a rooster !! Someone had a picture of her 24 “ roosters “ and they were all hens ..... is it crowing ? Chest bumping the others? Chasing the others?
 
The red one is probably a production red. The EE on the left does look like a cockerel, a better full body shot from the side would help, but I think I see pointed saddle feathers, and the red shoulders is a male trait.
Call your hatchery and see if they will trade you another hen for him, many will if they mistakenly give you a cockerel when you asked for a pullet. With many breeds of chickens it can be difficult to sex the chickens, and it's only about 90% accurate most of the time, so accidental cockerels happen, and it doesn't necessarily mean they were careless or did it on purpose. Some EE's can take longer to determine gender also, being mixed breeds can make their feather development a bit different. If you want to be SURE to not get any cockerels ever, then getting sex link chicks may be your best option.
And cockerels will crow whenever they feel like it, any time of day, all day, sometimes at night if they see light.
 
Yes, I agree with @coach723 and I have been on the receiving end of an order that had a rooster in it. I ordered a New Hampshire Red pullet and unfortunately received a cockerel instead. Yep, I bummed, but it is what it is. I ordered the chicks knowing there was only a 90% guarantee on the sexing. However, I’m not in the same boat as you. I live in the country where I can have whatever I please, so it’s not quite as critical to me that I now have five cockerels instead of just four. BTW, this oops roo will be slaughtered in another 4 weeks. You might just try that and enjoy him for a No More Crow dinner. :gig
 
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The red one is probably a production red. The EE on the left does look like a cockerel, a better full body shot from the side would help, but I think I see pointed saddle feathers, and the red shoulders is a male trait.
Call your hatchery and see if they will trade you another hen for him, many will if they mistakenly give you a cockerel when you asked for a pullet. With many breeds of chickens it can be difficult to sex the chickens, and it's only about 90% accurate most of the time, so accidental cockerels happen, and it doesn't necessarily mean they were careless or did it on purpose. Some EE's can take longer to determine gender also, being mixed breeds can make their feather development a bit different. If you want to be SURE to not get any cockerels ever, then getting sex link chicks may be your best option.
And cockerels will crow whenever they feel like it, any time of day, all day, sometimes at night if they see light.
Thank you for thoroughly explaining to me. I'm sorry everyone for my rough behavior, it's just that my last rooster must be butchered and I don't want it to happen again. I'm gonna take newer pictures because on Monday when the hatchery is opened, I'm going back there and see if we can exchange the accidental EE rooster for a EE hen and that production red hen for an Amber White hen. Btw, why you recommend getting sex link chicks? I now understand that chicks at a young age can't be sex'd until a few weeks. Again, thank you!!
Yes, I agree with @coach723 and I have been on the receiving end of an order that had a rooster in it. I ordered a New Hampshire Red pullet and unfortunately received a cockerel instead. Yep, I bummed, but it is what it is. I ordered the chicks knowing there was only a 90% guarantee on the sexing. However, I’m not in the same boat as you. I live in the country where I can have whatever I please, so it’s not quite as critical to me that I now have five cockerels instead of just four. BTW, this oops roo will be slaughtered in another 4 weeks. You might just try that and enjoy him for a No More Crow dinner. :gig
So you have to make dinner out of your rooster? I hope it'll be tasty! "Cock-a-doodle-food!" :lau
 

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