About this episode
Drowning in extra roosters as grow-out season hits? This episode lays out a practical, ethical roadmap so you can plan before you hatch—and avoid the last-minute scramble. We cover the real-world options, their pros and cons, and how to set up a reliable, humane system that fits your space, goals, and local rules. What you’ll learn Why planning matters: straight-run math, space, feed, timelines, and neighbor considerations Option 1: Grow out and harvest yourself — reliable, data for dual-purpose evaluation; skills, time, and costs required Option 2: Outsource — establish relationships with families raising for their tables or approved wildlife/raptor programs; how to make it consistent Option 3: Rehoming/private sales — screening, limited demand, and why you can’t control outcomes after sale Option 4: Livestock auctions — volume potential vs. zero control “Bachelor pad” roosters — where it can work and common limits Ethics & responsibility — don’t abandon birds; how to handle aggression (and why not to rehome aggressive males) A simple, repeatable plan for next season: identify outlets, set thresholds by age/weight, calendar your decisions, and communicate clearly Have a listen to this episode at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com #PoultryKeepersPodcast #BackyardChickens #Roosters #Cockerels #ChickenKeeping #PoultryEthics #DualPurpose #HeritagePoultry #Homesteading #FlockManagement #PoultryHusbandry #ChickenAdvice #SmallFlock #PoultryEducation #BreedingDecisions #HumaneProcessing #RaptorPrograms You can email us at - poultrykeeperspodcast@gmail.com Join our Facebook Groups: Poultry Keepers Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/907679597724837 Poultry Keepers 360 - - https://www.facebook.com/groups/354973752688125 Poultry Breeders Nutrition - https://www.facebook.com/groups/4908798409211973 Check out the Poultry Kepers Podcast YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@PoultryKeepersPodcast/featured