I have four roosters, two of which have become too aggressive. I doubt that I can find anyone to take two aggressive roosters like these, so I'm trying to find out what to do with them. These were chicks that the kids at school hatched out and I took in for them, so I feel a little guilty to be getting rid of them like this. I just can't have aggressive birds when I already have two perfectly nice roosters. What should I do? I've never culled anything before, so I don't know what to do.

-- Molly (nightdrgn@aol.com), March 20, 2002

Answers

soup,, roasted, fried,, ect,,,,

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 20, 2002.

We take our roosters to the poultry auction. I normally get $4-$7 per bird.

-- cindy palmer (jandcpalmer@sierratel.com), March 20, 2002.

If necessary, I have always favored an ax and a heavy piece of wood underneath. It's harder, I believe, on the person than on the chicken because it is QUICK. It would be easier if you had a helper to hold the bird so you could steady the head, but it is an unpleasant job and I've never asked anyone to help me. I place the bird chest down so he holds his head across the block, and just do it. I once saw a chicken guiotine (sp?) that would be easier and even more certain, but I didn't have chickens then so I didn't keep the plans, Sorry!!! An unpleasant job at best!!!

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), March 20, 2002.

Terry, try hammering two nails into the block of wood - wide enough apart for the neck, but not the head. Hubby is then able to stretch the neck out and get a good clean cut (all by himself - I still haven't been able to do that part myself).

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

Give them to someone. They are probably aggressive because you have four of them. They are competing to be top bird. All male animals fight with each other for the right to breed with the females. Any of these birds by themselves at another place probably would not be a problem.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), March 20, 2002.

Molly Try Posting An Add In The Local Paper Make Sure You Say That they are aggressive. I had an aggressive rooster once (Marty) I don't have a heart to kill anything . He Died of old age a month ago poor old guy I kind of liked him .

-- Vicne R. (Dove@epix.net), March 20, 2002.

I don't agree, David. I have a LOT more than 4 roosters and they don't fight. They all free range with the hens during the day and roost with them in the pens at night.

OTOH, if all the birds are kept in a coop, things may be different. I've never raised birds that way.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

I would agree with Rogo. I have 15 roosters and they all get along fine together. There are the usual schuffles now and then. They have about an acre to move around in, so that keeps troubles to a minimum.

-- Kent in WA (kent@premier1.net), March 20, 2002.

I have one rooster who stays with my hens in the coop, the rest free range. They were hatched and raised together, so they don't fight very badly. It's only when people appear in the yard or driveway that they become a problem. I would gladly give them away if I thought that someone would take them, but I can't imagine anyone wanting a rooster that's going to charge them every time they leave the house. Even my dogs are afraid to pass by the chicken coops.

-- Molly (nightdrgn@aol.com), March 20, 2002.

I had a rooster turn mean and attack our littlest boy. Nathan was just beginning to walk and the rooster cut him up. That's when momma stepped in...a fish net and a .22 worked nicely.

-- connie in md (connie@mission4me.com), March 21, 2002.

Aside from the free ranging, I don't feed treats. I've always assumed these two things are what keep my roos from any fighting or attacking us. They're not looking at me for food every time they see me. Altho there's a lot of them, they've never attacked anything, humans or other critters. One of the dogs is smaller than most of the birds, but there's never been a problem.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.