SAB Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Hi - have been offered a silkie from a reputable breeder who is sure it is a girl but has said he cant stake his life on it due to them being difficult to sex. I would be able to keep a cockeral as am semi-rural, but would not want it living with my hens (am strict veggie and so can't risk fertilised eggs) - what would my options be? (This is all hypothetical as the silkie may indeed be a girl, but I want to think it all through first) Need suggestions ASAP as picking up chooks on Saturday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 It would be cruel to keep it on it's own if it does turn out to be a boy. You would have to ask for re-homing options on other fora as this one has a policy of not engaging in the re-homing of unwanted males. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 I would hate to have to rehome a pet but would not want to keep a lonely cockeral. Can they be kept with other cockerals/ducks; or can they be neutered (sorry if these are daft questions, but I am new to it all and want all my facts before making a decision). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Would the breeder take him back if he turns out to be a boy? I think that's your only real option if you don't want to put him with the hens. Hope he is a she!! Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 I too hope it is a she! Had thought of the idea of getting breeder to take back if not a girl, but not keen to do so as we are just about to have a 4 year old boy placed with us for adoption and don't want him to get the idea he might get "sent back" if not what we originally wanted! Will see how certain breeder is on Saturday and if necessary ask if he would keep her/him until sex more certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 I think that would be your best bet under the circs. Congratulations on the imminent arrival of your little boy. I hope you will all be very happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 Many thanks Eglutine. We seem to have been waiting for ages and just as we predicted, no sooner were the chooks due to arrive than new son due to arrive too. We should have known better than to start ripping out the bathroom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Totally un-chickeny, but congratulations on the imminent arrival of your son! That is fabulous news, and so nice that you are considering the chicken/cockerel/sending back issue too. What a lucky boy to be part of a chicken family too! My four year old absolutely LOVES our chooks! Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tottya Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Many Congratulations on your adoption!! Having just got chickens myself and I have a 4 year old they make wonderfull pets my soon is allways checking on them wanting to feed/water them I know youll all be very happy together! I have 2 Silkies too Bee Boo and Fluffy! And was wondering how do you sex a chicken as I have one that lays and one thats still not laying yet So hoping shes a girl and not a boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Apparently they are very difficult to sex and sometimes it is not clear at all until the bird either lays an egg or begins crowing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
