Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Were on our first two hatches and I'm just wondering what everyone does? Do you keep them all? There are so many more that I want to have a go at! Ideas please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Hi, I have homes sorted for any cockerels but if these chicks end up being just Cream Legbars i'll most likely re-home them! but if they are Silkie X CL i'll keep them My neighbours really want some hens so maybe they'll take a couple (have borrowed them some chicken keeping books and have ordered them a Omlet Brochure,been giving them my girls eggs too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 You do really need to think about what your going to do with any cockerals as at least 50% are bound to be boys. wether your going to keep them for dinners, despatch or have someone who will take them, unless your one of the lucky ones who is able to keep cockerals this needs some serious thought. I am keeping my girls and we are lucky enough to have a couple of sources for the boys. Good luck with your hatching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 Thanks, the breeder who I got the lemon cookoo's from will take the boys. My neighbour (decent one) has said he doesn't mind me having a cockeral but I think I do, lol.. I would love to keep an odd one but I don't have room for them all. I am sure that I wont be homing any for the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I've kept a few girls & given some to friends. We eat the large fowl boys but the bantams are disposed of. I've only managed to find homes for two boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I am deliberately breeding dual purpose birds, but then I want to raise birds for the table. I will be keeping a couple of boys, prob an Indian Game with my table girls (as in the breeders) and something, possibly my araucana if boy, with the layers. I have no qualms with dispatching boys, the number of people that*actually* rehome a number of cockerels is pretty low. ..even kiddies farms don't want a billion roo's strutting round. I also know of breeders that rehome them and just cull them Saying that, purebreeds are a better bet and rare purebreeds like your puddings, even better! Great your breeder offered to take them, must be a relief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 thanks for replies. Maybe I should say I wouldn't knowingly put my chicks to the table (not that there's anything wrong with that, just personal preference) Good luck with yours. I suppose it would be so much easier if I could eat the boys! maybe someday I'll go on one of the courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 When birds I have hatched reach POL (roughly) I decide which are the best girls for breeding and sort out new homes for the rest. With they boys, I keep the best one and rehome the rest. If a home can't be found they are either eaten or taken to a friend who takes cockerels in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I didn't 'do the deed' with the cockerels last time as a friend had said that she wanted one and then hubby got too attached. Then the friend couldn't take the cockerel and I was left in the lurch. As it turned out the cockerels have gone to a lovely breeder who thinks they are great...they are extremely tame. On this hatch I have requests for four cockerels but I am wary now as a result of what happened last time. Luckily two of the people who want them are also hatching so they can take them at an early age and put them with their chicks. That way I won't be left with the headache of what to do with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Always best to have a plan in place for the chicks before you commence hatching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 In fairness to original poster, I think she was just curious as to what others do since she has an agreement with the breeder. IMO best plan-coq au vin But then I have recently been called a terrible name by someone that *used* to be a friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-a-doodle-doo Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 thanks, madchook.. I do have agreements with my breeder (so lucky) and did just wonder what everyone else did and didn't take offence. You never know I may learn to do the coq au vin in time. Sorry to hear about your "friend" I'm sure it's her loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
