Most county/city regulations prohibit keeping roosters on your property. This section is full of useful tips about what to do if you need to re-home your rooster

First of all.......... it's a basic fact of life: you are born male or female. In the poultry world, most of the time roosters are not too popular. 

But, part of being a responsible pet owner means being accountable for your animals well being. Even if it is "just a chicken" 
I have been through the process of having to re-home Roos so many times.It can be heartbreaking, but if you discover one day that your cute little chick has suddenly started making goofy warbling noises around 5am or so-then youve got a rooster on your hands. Do not panic! Your rooster can probably be re-homed. I have also included some examples to help you create effective ads for posting online & in you local stores.There are lots of options! 


But, before you decide you cannot keep your adorable rooster, read the stories below. 

Roo story #1: Syd 

-"Syd" a Silkie chick, only 2 days old

(straight from the egg, we had a feeling he was a BOY)

"Syd" today -->
the best roo! 

Syd is a classic example of rooster characteristics- as a chick he was inquisitive, friendly & down right adorable. Even though he was just a tiny lil' fluff ball, within a week or two it was pretty obvious that Syd was large & in charge- top chicken in his mini flock. And, everybody was just fine with that! 

Because bantams are so tiny, it is very difficult to sex them until they are older. Silkies, because of their fluffy plumage, are even more challenging to sex until at least 6 months of age, sometimes more. 

A cockerel is a juvenile rooster, that's when you first start to hear the uncomfortable crowing sounds aka "voice change" they usually crow early in the morning, and late afternoon--but teenagers do whatever they want!

Fertilized Silkie egg>>>

WANT TO KNOW IF YOU LIVE IN A ROOSTER FRIENDLY TOWN? 
You can click here to be directed to a great blog about local chicken laws throughout the United States by Amber Waves Silkies 

Q: How do you know if you have a rooster or a hen? 
A:  Roosters crow &
Hens lay eggs

Monkey, a sweet roo taking a nap with his owner K.B.

The ROOSTER dilemma 

Harmon, posing for the camera

<--Click on the photo to read an article in the LA Times about zoning laws for backyard chickens

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A sign in my office-- so true

Just because your adorable chick has grown up to become a rooster, does not mean he is going to be a bad pet! Roosters have a job to do-- protecting their flock of ladies, fertilizing eggs for future offspring, and searching out food/shelter for their flock mates. 
Roosters are a very valuable addition to any flock. A sweet, well loved rooster will make YOUR life so much better! They never take a day off and will spend their entire lives taking care of their ladies. 

Roo Story #2: Pistol

 Pistol is the perfect example of a sweetheart roo. At only a month old, Pistol was already 'mothering' smaller chicks. We have tons of videos & pictures of Pistol taking care of other little fluffers. Very patient & mellow. Silkie chickens are usually great mothers. Pistol was especially fond of Baby Maty, and we've got the photos to prove it! Pistol naturally 'helped out' with several hatches & because of his gentle disposition we assumed that he was a she.  
 
 At around 6 months old, it became increasingly clear that Pistol was  indeed a roo- not a pullet after all. He could have been a contender! (as a hen) While he remained very friendly towards humans & his other chicken friends, he wasn't the dominant rooster in the group, and tended to keep to himself. Pistol got along well with everyone in our flock- including all of the other roosters. And as he matured, with daily handling, he continued to be a gentle pet. 

 Since Pistol was so special, I wanted him to be in the best environment. It was starting to become clear that Pistol could be happier some place else, where he could be #1 Silkie Roo & maybe get a girlfriend or 3? It made me sad, but I had to let him go. 

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Pistol with his "baby" Maty

So, reluctantly, I put the word out that my special rooster was looking for a new home....

Enjoy wine? And chickens? See Pistol in all of his glory on the beautiful property of Castello di Amorosa Napa Valley, Ca. 

My heartfelt thanks to Sergio at Castello di Amorosa for all of his efforts in adopting Pistol & bringing him to such a fabulous new home. Pistol is part of a healthy menagerie of exotic birds who roam the vineyard property. I receive updates on Pistols progress & he is available for visits!

One day, Pistol was adopted! And became a chicken prince!


He now lives on the grounds surrounding  a beautiful castle- really! 

Sergio sent me this photo-- Pistol prefers to sleep with the quail!

Here are some ads that I have posted in local feed stores, veterinary hospitals, & the library!