First time using a Broody

Peter16 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:07 pm

I just couldnt do it!

I sat there with the axe and the bird pinned down for atleast 10 minutes, and i just couldnt take the swing, I kept thinking what if i missed or just injured it.

I just cant kill one of my pets

Maybe tomorrow....

County Lodge · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:37 pm

I agree Peter. It is difficult to put a chook or chick down. Culling roosters is not one of my favourite things but unfortunately there is not a big market for them and I can not afford to feed them to adulthood. I only keep a couple of really good chicks and grow them out to keep the best one if my current boy should pass on for what ever reason. It would be best to keep them all a lot longer and make a decision when they are older but it is all very difficult.

debbieo4914 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:31 pm

I can't do it. My vet will put them down for me for $5 or less a bird - still expensive if you have a few, and not as nice for the rooster as just having its head quietly removed during the night, but I just can't be the hands-on killer (and won't let my husband do it either!).

I can't believe no-one will take them, Peter, especially with the free bags of feed! I hope someone comes along soon. There's a poultry auction at Singleton on Saturday - unfortunately I'll be away otherwise I would have offered to take them for you. If you still have them in March I could take them to the Maitland one for you.

Deb

Peter16 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:24 pm

Im happy to keep them until the feed runs out and they dont eat much,
But mother hen is a pain, every afternoon the same routine,
she goes to the entrance of the run waiting to be let in, then i have to catch her and the 2 boys and move them back to her pen.

I would leave them in the main pen as the big girls dont pay much attention to them, but they cant reach the feed and water, and the big girls eat the crumble with in minutes of being put down.

She is the only one who wants to get in the run lol
All the others take the 1st opportunity to escape.

Bird_Valley · **Joined:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:34 pm **Posts:** 3

Putting down a bird is the hardest part of keep them and it never gets easier that’s for sure. I hate doing it but sometimes you just have to but I always feel guilty for days after.

Bundy Mum · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:03 am **Posts:** 10

Oh dear I don't think I could ever do that I hope the need never comes.
Helen

Tahir · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:09 pm

i had to cull 8 cockerels on saturday :-?

and one today after school.

Stt · **Joined:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:01 pm **Posts:** 3006

i also had to cull 5 roosters last week

Drew Smith · **Posted:** Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:23 pm

If you breed chooks then culling is a fact of life, its one of those job we hate but has to be done.
Cheers Drew Smith

Peter16 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:40 pm

But when you have a small flock such as mine you become attatched to each chook, ecpesially if you name them.

Today i sharpened the axe, worked up the courage and slaughtered the beautiful light sussex.

Now i just need to find that leghorn.

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