18/08/2024
What to do with excess roosters this season?
So as we come into the breeding season, eggs will be laid, chicks hatch and eventually you’ll have excess roosters.
Please please please if you’re planning on getting in fertile eggs or unsexed chicks make sure you know what you’re going to do with the extra roosters! Whether you keep them yourself, have a home lined up for them or plan on putting them into the pot. Just make sure you know why you’re going to do with those excess roosters!!!
There are so many that get dumped out there. Some think that with dumping their rooster they’re doing something nice for the bird, letting it free range and live out its days in the wild. Domestic poultry, especially when they’re in large groups can not get enough feed, even water to survive. A lot of these dumped roosters are malnourished, and most will die to either predators or starvation. Honestly, it’s more humane culling a bird than dumping it.
We’ve been running our rooster return program for nearly three years now and here are some tips to increase your chances of having roosters that will be able to find a home:
Handling- Before thinking of breeds etc you need to raise the roosters right. No one wants a nasty rooster. Do NOT hand raise roosters. We have had so many roosters brought to us that have been handraised, and end up becoming quite nasty. If you are raising them yourself, stop handling the boys as soon as you can tell they’re boys. Ones raised by a mother hen tend to be a lot better. The reasoning behind this is that if you’re handraising them they get used to you, and once they grow up will think you, or any other human is competition. With adult roosters treat them with respect, but also let them know you’re boss. We’ve bought roosters that are extremely flighty (even though the breed isn’t) because people haven’t treated the birds right and they’re completely scared of humans.
Choosing a breed- If you’re purchasing eggs or unsexed chicks, or breeding yourself select a breed that is either rare, or has a high demand for. Also going for good quality birds is a plus. This means that when it comes time to rehome them there is actually demand for them and will be easier to rehome. Also go for breeds that are supposed to be docile. If you’re planning on putting, or selling them for the pot then go for larger, faster maturing breeds like RIRs. Do NOT breed crossbreeds, or buy eggs/chicks unless you already have a home lined up prior, or don’t mind/plan on putting them in the pot. Cross breeds have very little chance of finding a home. Come autumn there are so many people trying to find their beloved crossbreed boys homes and there just isn’t the demand for them as pets.
How to find a home- Ideally have one, or make sure you have room for them prior to hatching/collecting. See if the breeder you got them from will take any roosters back. You can run multiple roosters to a flock of hens (ideally 4+ hens per rooster). Introducing new roosters can be tricky, so either make sure they’ve been raised together, or put them in young. It is also best to put them in with the hens prior to the breeding season. Roosters can also run with just other roosters perfectly fine. If you do need to find a rooster a home, then advertise on Facebook (community groups, general poultry pages and if they’re purebred then specific breed pages if they allow rehoming). Trade me is also great but be prepared that most buyers will be buying them for the pot, Do NOT put ridiculous prices on your roosters. No one is going to buy one for $70! $10-$40 is what they’re worth depending on breed, age and quality. ALWAYS be prepared that as a last resort they may need to end up in the pot. Dumping is not an option no matter what.
Crossbreeds- If you have a flock of mixed breeds with roosters in there, knowing what you’re going to do with excess roosters is extremely important. If you don’t have any plans then it is probably best to rehome the current boys you have. Even if you think you’re on top of collecting eggs there will always be one hen that goes off and hatches out a lot of unwanted chicks!
We hope this helps those who are new to hatching or raising chicks! Happy to answer any questions you may have, send us a message if you do have one! If you are in the Auckland region and need to return roosters you get from us, or purebred ones from elsewhere then we are able to take them back/accomodate them. When it comes to crossbreeds that didn’t come from here we may be changing our policies around them.
If you don’t agree with an opinion in this post then please scroll on! We are realistic, I don’t want to see roosters killed or dumped but in some cases dispatching is what is needed.
Photo of Morris, our nearly 8 year old Blue Lacef Gold Wyandotte rooster. Our first ever breeding rooster! He’s still alive and still gets it on with the ladies (photo from 2022).