I have five buff silkie roos I can't give away. Cute little guys, but I don't need five of them without a hen. I ordered six silkies hoping for a 50/50 split at best. Instead, I got one hen that died. I wish there were a market for roosters. Hatching out replacement layers would be easier without thinking about what to do with the roosters.

When I opened their pen door to feed and water them yesterday one of my Bourbon Red toms decided to walk on in and have himself a look around. Two of the roos were hanging off him! Two more were jumping at him and one was running for his life. Gees! I couldn't get the darned turkey out. I'd haul him out by the few tail feathers he hasn't moulted but he'd be right back in before I could close the door. I ended up letting one of the farmcollies drag him out and hold him so that I could close the door. Those four tiny silkies were still jumping at him through the wire. I was aggravated at the moment but it was kind of funny to see those little birds ganging up on the big turkey.

I gave mine away for free.

several times, someone has dropped off roosters in our area!!always dogs and cats--but roosters??i couldnt do either--but i'm wondering, if they care enough about them to not eat them--how can they just drop them off to face a worse death?

I haven't tried this... but you might try freecycle in your area. Somebody might want your roos, but I guess some people might want them to eat!

I always managed to find homes for my extra roos by advertising in the "for free" section of my local newspapers. Usually most papers don't charge to place an ad in that section. I was just sure to mention that the birds were "pets" looking for "good" homes, & I did "interview" people over the phone before having them drop by.

I also placed ads with pics of the roos for adoption up on the bulletin boards at the local feed stores.

Well, Velvet is about to give into her chicken addiction and get 3 black silkies from her feed store. Maybe ship your roos to her so she can have a couple pairs (fiendish laugh, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaa!!!)
Sorry Velvet, couldn't resist.
On a more serious note---I'd give them away and try not to look back. Your description of the attack on your tom turkey reminds me of the scene in Jurassic Park when the Compies (little gang of dinosaurs) attack the bad guy (from Seinfeld) who stole the DNA and tried to leave the island and gets stuck in the mud. Dino food ;).
Next time, only "win" a box of standard chicks so if they're roos you can give them so someone who can eat them. I don't know if there's enough meat on a banty roo to bother with all the work.
Take care,

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

*LOL*

Try and advertise, best offer or free. Silkies are fairly popular and you might have someone near you that is dying for them.

I already HAVE three Silkies, a white roo a blue hen and a black hen. I still need a buff hen, though! :)

Velvet

What county are you in? Clackamas county has a very active 4-H, and the Clackamas County Fair has traditionally had a pretty nice poultry show. Perhaps you could contact the Extension 4-H office and see if they can put you in touch with a poultry club leader who might be able to help you place them. Orr if they're nice and fairly close to breed standard, if you live in Clackamas County, maybe you could still get them entered in the open class portion of the show and hang a "for sale" sign on the cage. The fairgrounds are in Canby and the fair is the 3rd week of August -- just before State Fair opens.

Those auctions are tough, aren't they? I used to go to an antique auction every week with a girlfriend. Ended up with 2 storage buildings full of good stuff that I didn't need. When I was late on the payment ONE TIME, they called, Dh answered, and I was busted. (Did I mention that he didn't know about any of it?)

So now I'm not allowed to go to any auctions without him. Or trade fairs, or flea markets. Sometimes he just has no sense of humor whatsoever...

Shortly after I got busted, I had to go on a two-week training trip for my job...he donated it all to a local shelter. Didn't even get a receipt for taxes...I could have killed him.

Later that year we were on a trip...somewhere...and went into the coolest shop...it was all shabby chic stuff...old and painted in pretty pastels...and he says "Oh, now I get it. That's what you were planning to do with all that stuff??? You probably could have sold it..."

Oh, Really??? Hadn't even thought of that!

Suzie

SilverVista...that's a great idea about entering them in the fair.
Prize winning rooster can be yours for a low, low price!

These little guys are badasses, I discovered. When I let them all free-range together, our top rooster lost the fight and is now scared of the new bantie boy!

Mamacotti...yes, these auctions can be dangerous. Better get a storage unit, LOL!

They probably taste good, but I'd have to be really really hungry before I butchered & plucked a bantam chicken. Only if they tasted like game birds. Even then, I'd have to be really hungry. That's just my opinion.
Plus, they have huge black pretty eyes so it would be hard for me to kill them.

Hi, I just got lucky yesterday by having a young boy stop by my house. He told me he was in 4-H and noticed I had lots of chickens and was wondering if I wanted to sell or give him a couple, Well I told him I have 9 free young cockerals and he was all excited. His mother is coming by tonight to get them. He doesnt care that there rooster. I had 2 gold hamburgs, 5 polish,and 1 silver leghorn and a white faced black spanish. I will be glad to see them go.
So if I were you I would contact 4H, you just may get lucky, Bette