All My Roosters

[catjac1975]

I have one Lavender orpington form my first hatch this year,4-5 months old. She was very tiny so I would not sell her. I was sure she would die the first 2 weeks. She is a lovely hen. Right after my last post here I went out and took a good look at her. Her legs are looking a bit longer then I remembered. I will not be very happy if she starts crowing!

 

[catjac1975]

Cat, look at those tail feathers. Pullets' tail feathers don't curl like that.

Sometimes the differences in male/female kick in pretty well about five weeks. Usually it's a lot easier for me to say that one is a male and harder to say for sure that one is a female at five weeks. But I also sometimes have some at three months or later that I'm just not sure. Some males develop so much slower than others. There is some science to it but there is a whole lot of art and experience too.

To me, Buff Orps are often a bit harder than some others. I think it is the thick feathers.

It's been a while since I have had Buff Orpingtons. They are one of my favorite birds. Perhaps I just don't remember. I thought the roos were much more robust in size. Any vocalizing yet?

 

[canesisters]

Watch those feathers.
I've had EVERY other 'sure fire way to tell' lie, but the feathers never do.
A roo's tail feathers will curl, or droop downward. A hen's will stand up nice and straight.
A roo will grow long feathers around his neck, like a lion's mane. A hen will have layers of short ones on her neck. (the pointy neck feather thing doesn't work for me either - half of my hens have pointy 'hackle' feathers...)

 

[secuono]

Yup, all roos....They taste great, though!

 

[baymule]

When you hatch your own chicks or buy straight run.......you get excess ROOSTERS! And if they are a layer breed, then the roosters are slower to mature than CX and have less meat. So here you have a lean and small 3 month old rooster that you are tired of feeding because you know you are NOT going to keep him, what to do? Beyond sending him to freezer camp, how to cook a chewy rooster?

ROOSTER SALAD

Boil (simmer) one dead rooster, preferably cleaned, all afternoon until meat falls from bone.

Debone the meat, toss bones to dogs that are drooling all over the kitchen floor, watching your every move with intent stare.

Cut the meat into bite size pieces, or for ya'll that barely chew and wolf it down like the dogs do, half bite size pieces.

Chop 2 stalks of celery.

1/2 cup chopped pecans or your favorite nuts.

1/2 pound seedless grapes, cut in half.

A glop or two of mayonaise, just enough to hold it all together.

Chill and serve.

 

[Cindy Purvis]

Thank you ALL for your comments. I am already preparing myself for the inevitable. I have been hearing the roos crow for a few weeks - so funny - but yesterday I got to see 3 of them crow. One was my easter egger, one the ameraucana, and ONE of the buffs. They are getting a bit more aggressive towards each other so I know the time is pretty much now. Lesson learned!!

 

[Beekissed]

If I lived nearby I'd take those boys off your hands! A pressure canner and a Mason jar makes all chicken created equal when it comes to tenderness. Good soup, stir fry, casserole, pot pie, etc.

So....what ya gonna do? If just a bachelor group without any hens nearby they could live well together as a flock, depending upon their nature. Lots of crowing, no eggs, but still pets.

 

[so lucky]

Bee, I think I detect a soft center to your homesteading heart! I presumed your mantra was "If it's not useful, eat it!" and here your are, pointing out that it's possible to keep a bunch of roosters together as pets. (Of course, even a worthless rooster can produce fertilizer, so he is not totally useless, I suppose)

 

[journey11]

I haven't anything to add, other than to welcome you to TEG, Cindy!

 

[catjac1975]

I just gave aWAY 7 ROOSTERS. 3 of them were giant lavender orpington roosters. I only have 8 hens so I kept 2 roosters. They are gentle birds. The hens seem a lot happier now and I am getting more eggs. I have 10, 6 week old lavender chicks so I am pretty sure Many will be roosters. When you hatch you must find a place for your extra roosters. I do not have any trouble giving them away.