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.
![Licorice, my "hen" that isn't a hen](https://i0.wp.com/myhomeamongthehills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/06_05_2014-019.jpg?resize=604%2C339&ssl=1)
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.
![The old stink eye](https://i0.wp.com/myhomeamongthehills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/06_05_2014-022.jpg?resize=604%2C339&ssl=1)
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 🙁