New Chicken Hobbyists Will Mean New Homeless Roosters
Many looking for hens may accidentally go home with a roo, so sanctuaries are preparing for a wave of unwanted roosters needing homes
For the last month, feed stores across the country have been selling out of chicks the minute they’re brought into the store. Some of these stores are reporting long lines before they even open the store each morning. The Coronavirus panic has families looking for new hobbies, backyard farming, or new companions. They’d like animals they can bring into their homes and raise.
What many of these impulse shoppers don’t realize is that chicks are difficult to sex. You have to wait months, until they start crowing, to know whether you have pullets (ladies) or roosters. Many of these families have good intentions, but they’re probably taking home a rooster or two without realizing it. Unfortunately, many of these roosters will end up homeless. This is a problem that isn’t just a result of this pandemic but has gone on for many years — but due to the rise of backyard chicken hobbyists during the pandemic, there’s a coming wave of unwanted roosters on the horizon.
I live in a rural area of Washington, so having a rooster is allowed in our city, but many folks aren’t allowed to have roosters…
