So I mentioned the other day, that I have a bunch of chickens, one of which I thought might be a rooster. He runs the hens around and very clearly is the boss of the coop. He has pointy saddle feathers and he’s huge compared to the other birds. Still, I was sold hens so I held out hope that “Licorice” was just a bossy hen. I mean, each bird has her (or his) own personality so I thought I might still be ok.
Of course, the kids are out of town with my folks, so Emily and I have enjoyed quiet sleep. On Monday morning, however, at almost exactly 6 am, we heard a sort of ill-formed warble that turned into a rooster-like sound. He practiced a few more times and finally let out a few real rooster crows. By 6:15, he was done. I was able to visibly catch him in the act at one point because I didn’t want to mistakenly pin maleness on Licorice if it were really Beatrice doing the crowing.
Emily didn’t hear him crow another single time the rest of the day or evening. Tuesday morning, he was at it again from 6 until 6:15 am and then he was quiet. That wouldn’t really bother me, but we do live in the city and have neighbors fairly close-by. I will definitely talk to them and make sure they aren’t terribly inconvenienced, but city ordinances do stipulate that while hens are legit in the city, roosters are definitely not.
I talked to a few friends who could have roosters but neither needed him so unless someone else turns up who needs a rooster, Licorice will make us a fine dinner this weekend. I hate to see him go as he is a pretty bird and really pretty gentle with humans, but I do not want trouble from the city or my neighbors. Ultimately, all of the chickens will be eaten as well so this is not a huge deal…just a little sooner than I had planned.
Ah well, I guess this is the life of an urban chicken farmer. I guess you can never truly know whether you have males or females until you get proof…noisy proof…
Oh, the cocky-little-dude!
There won’t be much meat on him. That makes the process a bigger drag, because you still have the same work involved as with bigger chickens, just not as much for eating.
Good luck!
I wouldn’t have the heart to kill such a pretty whether he be or she. Please don’t serve him to me for dinner.
Once while cleaning chickens, a family friend of ours stopped by to chat and then stayed to help us pluck the birds. I caught him slyly looking at the butt area between the legs a time or two as we were plucking and finally asked him what he was looking for. He finally sheepishly admitted he was looking for the balls. He was a city slicker and I had to explain the ins and outs of chicken reproduction to him as a ten years old farm boy!
So sad. Why not try one of the buy-sell-trade sites on Facebook? He’s beautiful and someone might want him for flock improvement. Do you know what breed he is?
Granny Sue – I thought about that but I worry about someone wanting him for fighting…is that a problem around here? I figure so. As for breed, I have no idea…he was in the “black pullet” bucket at TSC.
Ed – Poor guy…doesn’t he know that’s what they make chicken nuggets from?
Mom – Don’t worry…that chicken we are eating…def not my birds…trust me, ok?
Ceecee – I keep hoping he will shut up so I can let him get bigger but he was at it again this morning…
Natalie – he is indeed…I like him but he won’t shut up!
I think Schmenky got Baby Julio on Craigslist or Freecycle or something. Maybe she knows how you can safely rehome him.
He is a purty bird 🙁