Guest Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 The downside of playing God with animals - our 2 hens went broody and managed to hatch out 5 eggs successfully. The chicks are now 8 weeks old and one is a cockerel. He is becoming increasingly aggressive to us and fellow chicks, and I know we can't keep him, although I have a real soft spot for the cheeky fella. Having engineered his creation, I feel awful thinking he's going to have to go. I've asked loads of people if they would have him, but (rightly so!) no-one wants a noisy, pointless male ( sorry chaps!) What can I do???!!! What would you do???!!!a Do I take him to the vet for a quick exit? I can't bear the thought of the usual way of 'despatch'. Help. Advice/condolences gratefully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 Hi why don't you post his availability on the practical poultry forum. Include a little advert saying free to a good home and describing his charachter. Remember it's free to advertise on there and somebody may want him. Otherwise he may taste nice if you fatten him up for a few more weeks. What breed is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 Awww can u not like, force someone to adopt him or soemthing, poor baby :C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 I did offer to eat him for you - er... take him off your hands Practical Poultry is the best bet although cockerels are rather difficult to find homes for. We took 8 off a breeder when we only went to buy one to keep for breeding. We eventually kept 2 because they were so beautiful but the rest were for the pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Perhaps I forgot to say - I'm vegetarian!!! The thought of seeing my little man's head on a block makes me feel sick! (I know I'm being stupid) He's probably a rhode island / maran. Dunno - he came from a place where all sorts run around with all sorts! Thanks for the practical poultry forum idea though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 PS - where is the practical poulrty forum - is it an Omlet thing, or a different website altogher - thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Tweetheart here is the link to Practical Poultry they don't have anything to do with Omlet but it is sometimes helpful to look on their forum for answers to problems etc......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Many thanks Nicola - it looks a really good site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Perhaps I forgot to say - I'm vegetarian!!!.. So was I - for 25 years - until nearly 2 years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 so you went from veggie to rearing you own meat in under two years? gosh, that's quite a leap! Tara (omnivore!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Nah, it's just what happens when a veggie starts keeping chickens Seriously, as a veggie who stopped eating meat for ethical reasons (and the fact that it tasted of nothing), the ONLY meat I could contemplate eating now is that whose provenance I know. But I have to say that this batch of cockerals will be for hubby to enjoy alone as I'm not ready for that step just yet (if ever)! I get the pleasure of raising them and seeing them flourish, then at six months the rest is up to hubby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Here lies the problem for all of us. I would love to hatch some chicks one day but this has given me food for thought (sorry ) What a hard thing to do. Is there a rescue that would have him? You never know BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 That's a good idea, and we also live fairly close to the domestic fowl trust. I think I'll go begging to them. My husband suggested we smuggle him into a petting zoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 A local zoo or petting farm may be able to take him on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 That's a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Tweetheart you could try Hatton Country Village as they have loads of animals & livestock there. If they cant take him im sure they will put you in touch with someone who can help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Thanks Emma!!!! - I knew I had to go somewhere this week, but couldn't remember where. I have to collect some meat from the butcher at Hatton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Oh Lesley go and see the Guinea Pigs in their own little village!!! Now there is another idea for something to add to your farm!!! Go on.... you know you just love all our suggestions - and take us up on most of them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Oh dear! - that's not meant to sound as it does The butchers is quite separate from the animal park area The animal park would be a lovely ''retirement home' for your cockerel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Oh dear! - that's not meant to sound as it does The butchers is quite separate from the animal park area The animal park would be a lovely ''retirement home' for your cockerel Oh i need the loo thats so funny Lesley!!! But you still need a guinea pig village of your own!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Oh no we don't!!!!! - there are hundreds in there at Hatton - and hundreds of children as well usually. I don't know how the guinea pigs cope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Oh no we don't!!!!! Ok it's a while til panto season but i just cant resist!! Oh yes you do!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 That's a good idea, and we also live fairly close to the domestic fowl trust. I think I'll go begging to them.My husband suggested we smuggle him into a petting zoo! I like that idea best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazaddress Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Hi. there are a few animal shelters which take cockerals search for "diana animal rescue" in google and you will find the animal rescue centre where I have got my rescue animals from. they have a large paddock, with cockerals, chickens and ducks. they take on anything I am sure there is somewhere similar near you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 There's a funy one in Norfolk, which I have posetd about before: Near Bungay there is a roundabout known as ' Cock roundabout', where people dump unwanted cockerels. There are loads there and they all seem to get on fairly well, I guess that someone must feed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
