A cockerel I do not want!

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witchontheswitch

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My neighbor gave me 2 female pullets, to go with my other 15 girls, about 6 weeks ago (they were 11 weeks old). One of them has turned out to be a cockerel and I only keep hens for eggs so I don't want him. What can I do with him in the meantime, until I find another home for him. I have enough space to put him on his own but, as he is not causing any problems at present, is he ok to stay with the girls? I know nothing about cockerels - help someone???
 
Hi Witchontheswitch, and welcome to the Forum.
Have you considered asking your neighbour if she'd like to have him back?
Otherwise, if the other girls are accepting him and hes not getting bullied, and he's not so loud so neighbours will complain, he should be OK in with them. As he grows he will of course start fertilising the eggs but this isn't a problem, you can still eat them without noticing any difference. Yes you could isolate him, but he will be happier in company if possible. But maybe you'll have to do some hard thinking about his future - what breed is he? You will be unlikely to be able to rehome him if he's not purebred as there are so many unwanted males in need of a new harem.
 
Hi Marigold.
Thanks for your reply - it has helped a lot. He is a very happy cockerel (or seems to be). Him and the other one that he came with just stick together, although he does tend to boss her about a lot, and all my other hens ignore him really. He sleeps in the middle of them all at night though. They have a big stable all to themselves. My neighbor just said - "Oh dear" and "No thanks". I have an acre of land at the back of my garden and the chooks are in about a 1/4 of that so they are quite a way from the neighbors but he is quite loud. I was concerned about the eggs, as I sell them to friends, family and colleagues to help pay the feed bill. I think I will do what you said and just leave him and see how he goes. He is not a purebred but he is a very handsome boy! Black, with golden feathers on his neck and green/blue feathers on his wings. I will keep you updated if you would like. Thanks again.
 
It sounds as if he's really fallen on his feet with you and your girls, what more could a handsome boy want? Sometimes older hens bully a young cockerel but as they tolerate him now, it sounds as if they will probably rather like his winning ways when he's a bit bigger. If you're happy to keep him and can do so without problems, your flock will be a happy and natural one, with all that space. Can you post a picture of him? We'd love to see what he's like.
 
I will get a picture and put it on a.s.a.p. I have 8 new Ross Lohmann pullets coming today so he is going to be even happier me thinks! They will be kept on other side of fence though until they all get to know each other. I always find that best. He will then have 24 girls to keep him happy. I am a big footie fan and my team is Tottenham Hotspur - their club badge is a cockerel so Roweena has now become Tottenham - Totty for short because he is hot!! Bet you think I am mad....
 
Sorry but my cockerel has gone! The farmer that brought my new girls this morning said he was lovely and I gave him to him. So no pic now I'm afraid. I was sorry to see him go but feel better as the girls look more settled again.
 
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