Cockerels

[elizajay]

I have 2 beautiful cockerels hatched by my hens in August.
The parent birds were black split bantam Orpingtons with chocolate gene and black and white miniature silkies. As chicks they looked like little chipmunks.
They are black with gold flecked hackles, red on wings, top knots and extra toes, almost identical to each other and good pals. I will have to move them on in the spring when the neighbours complain. Just thought I would let people know they are available as they are too small to make much of a meal and I couldn't eat them anyway. I am willing to have "the deed" done, but if I can avoid it I would rather give them a chance of life.

[RichmondHens]

It is the law of Sod that most crossbreeds tend to be the most beautiful. They are also worthless and unsaleable. It is possible to find homes for a good example of a purebreed cock but (in my experience) rarely a crossbreed. A shame really as some of these little fellas tend to be a lot tougher than the pure breeds (the hens are too).

Hope you find a home for them but if not, accept the deed will have to be done. If you hatch more chicks next year avoid crossing the breeds thus making it (marginally) easier to move on any surplus offspring, although tbh any cocks are hard to rehome.

[petal]

RH is right, its also a good thing to learn how to dispatch and prepare because if you are going to raise chicks you must have a viable plan for the males. only the very best rare breed cockerel will find a home and its very important to perpetuate our rare breeds and not mix up types(unless it is for a purpose such as meat- like our faverolle cross brahmas), don't you agree?

[jessmorris]

..while we're on the subject, I have a nice, small, gold laced wyandotte bantam cockerel who will be dispatched unless someone takes a fancy to him. He's well marked with a beautiful greeny-black sheen to his edging markings. I've despatched his brothers (smudgily marked blue laced) but have left him til last, just in case I can find him a home......

[petal]

he sounds lovely- try advertising on practical poultry where a breeder is more likely to see him? We have bred an excellent silver laced one for showing purposes.

[jessmorris]

I'll try there. Good idea. The silver pencilled ones from the same breeder were fantastically marked - really good!