About Me

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I am a 42 year old woman that is about as happy and content as one person can be. My husband of 21 years and our 15 year old daughter live on five and a half acres out in the country. We moved from the city four years ago and never looked back. I homeschool our daughter. We also love our animals. Our daughter has a miniature horse and two rabbits. We also have a border collie, two cats (again), two pot belly pigs, four peafowl, three emus, 2 llamas and an undetermined number of chickens, lets just say ohhh about 200. I have many breeds, from layers to fancy chickens. I love poultry shows, I love fowl in general as I have come to find out through having more than just chickens. Chickens will always be my first love though. I do show some of my birds occasionally.

Monday, October 1, 2007

I Don't Know What To Do, Help Me

I have Hispanics coming by all the time, to buy eggs. But also asking if I have any chickens for sale. You know what they want them for. To eat. I usually will adamantly say no. I don't eat my chickens. They are pets. Well...most of them. I have one that is a very difficult rooster.

I raised him from a chick. His name is Alan. He is an Araucana. A pretty man. Still, he has never been trustworthy. When he was loose out in the yard I would have to carry a stick with me to defend myself if he decided I needed to be flogged.

The day came when I had had enough. Roosters can sense when old hens are not laying and they will start to pick on them, try to run them off. He was picking on some of my older girls. So, I caged him. He has been in a pen ever since. By himself.

Hank is now the king of the yard, and he is a big sweetie pie. Same breed, big old thing. Love him so much.

So, I had a guy come by a few minutes ago to get eggs. Asked me if I had any chickens for sale. I said no, no hens. He said he would take a rooster, it didnt matter.

I dont know why I did it. I said,

"Well, I have this rooster over here...I just have no use for him. He is mean to my hens, mean to me, but he is so pretty."

In reply he says,

"Okay, I will be back later then, how much?"

I say,

"I don't know, how much do you usually pay?"

He doesnt know.

I am thinking if I was selling him for breeding he would be ten dollars. So, I guess ten dollars. I dont know.

BUT...I have never ever sold a chicken to EAT.

Should I sell him? I mean, I have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach...I think it is sympathy for Alan, even though he probably doesnt deserve it.

Should I do it?

Should I sell him?

It would free up a pen. I have tried to reform him, but he will not behave. I have tried holding him and petting him. He just won't have it.

I know it is the practical thing to do. I know it is. But my gut is churning and I feel sick. Should I? Somebody please tell me it is okay to do this, or that it isnt okay to do this...something. :(

I have had him for two years now, what to do, what to do.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it is making you sick I would say don't do it.  If you look at it as freeing a pen, I'd say go for it.  I like to eat chicken so I'd probably sell.
Traci

Anonymous said...

hmmm....not sure what I would do... we had a bunny and I couldn't see selling her to someone so they could eat her...then she died of old age and we had to deal with that...and that was hard on the kids
Becky

Anonymous said...

I'd get rid of him , can't stand being stalked by a rooster ! Brings back bad memories from my childhood growing up around those mean little Bantam chickens and roosters, ..... but 10 bucks ??? That would buy a lot of chicken at the grocery store.

Anonymous said...

If you think he is just going to be eaten, I would keep him..  Poor Hank!  Linda

Anonymous said...

If you need the pen.. then he would be the one to get rid of. I know what you mean about pets. My best friend and her husband raise cows. My kids use to get attached to the cows and the first time we had a cookout. They all refused to eat because we were eating one of the cows. Now there are only three of them they are allowed to be around. Nobody goes by the others because that is business. Do what you think is right.
Take care, Chrissie

Anonymous said...

I am thinking the man wouldn't pay $10.00 for it when he can buy a chicken cheaper at the grocery store already cleaned and everything. I also think you would regret selling him to someone to eat since you have had him for so long. If you already feel bad then I think you would feel even worse when you sold him. Helen

Anonymous said...

What helps me answer this right away is the fact that he is mean. Untameable. So guess what?!! I say sell him. You have no use for him. Also I've found that if u breed nasty chickens it goes down the bloodline. However I personally think $10 is too high for a Roo. Especially if he's going to be dinner. I always account for loosing out on my Roos. It doesn't matter how pretty they are, they are very hard to get rid of. So I just accept that if they have to go to auction or be sold cheaper, at least they are off my hands. Not sure how big the roo is but dont go lower than $5.

Sorry I havent posted to any of your journal entries. Been very busy with work now. I'm not even sure I can get into my AOL journal anymore. But you know u can always email or IM me..vice versa! Miss talking to you! Take Care.

Kay

Anonymous said...

I have no problem eating any critter I've raised, so I think we are at different ends of the spectrum.  Obviously, I'd sell the rooster.  I'm with Helen.  I don't think he'd pay ten bucks.  But it doesn't hurt to ask.

Anonymous said...

I'd grit my teeth and sell. Paula

Anonymous said...

Ok, I am late on this but I haven't read the outcome so I will comment.  I can't kill or sell anything that I would know would be killed.  Even though I live on a farm I don't have that kind of thought process ~ I know I never will.   I would not sell, but that is just me.  I can't wait to read on.
Lisa

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