Noisy cockerels waking me at 4am - should I kill them or what?

[MsFire]

We hatched some eggs under our broody hen and two have turned out to be cockerels. We know that because last week they started cockadoodlebloodydoing at anything from 4am. We live in v urban setting (though have long garden) One neighbour already complaining goodnaturedly but you sense she is getting fed up. I want to get rid of them - have friend who knows how to kill them - but DH thinks it is lovely rural noise, who could ever mind. (He isn't a light sleeper like me)

There are two roosters anyway which, unless we want to start cockfighting club (which local pitbull owners might enjoy) surely will have to get rid of one.

I think it would great to eat our own bird. Any thoughts from more experience chickenkeepers please.

Can you come round and kill mine too when you're done?

Seriously though, not sure how much meat there would be on a cockerel, ours doesn't eat much. Friends bought some hens specifically for eating and they ate and ate and ate...seemed pre-disposed to it somehow. Anyway the actual preparing of the carcass was a lot of work and fairly gruesome...think chicken innards are particularly unpleasant, so they only did it twice I think.

I've done it, as the bird was slightly older than recommended for eating i made it into casserole as opposed to roasting it - it was yummy

yes, kill and eat them before your neighbour does.

If you can't keep cockerels, you should have them humanely killed. Eating them is personal preference (and often depends on the breed/size). If you don't want to eat them, the dispatcher might take them for you. Personally, I would scoff 'em no bother.

Have friend who worked on a kibbutz as youth. Used to kill 20 an hour or something. He says he hasn't lost his touch. They are only 7 months old - maybe I'll let them fatten up a bit. DSs are smacking lips: not sentimental at all.

THey are rather beautiful is only thing. Magnificent combs and tails starting to appear.

7 months old is perfect, don't wait do the deed asap and you will have a yummy bird

Which kibbutz Ms Fire?

We have a fully grown adult cockerel and he wakes at 4.00am. Your neighbours will hate you. Kill and eat as coq au vin.

We have THREE cockerels now (we originally thought they were girls). Does any one know where can we take them to get them killed? Would the local butcher be able to help or should we contact an abattoir direct?

Go for it

rlb, ask at your butchers if you know anyone who does it.

With out last lot I had to find someone to gut them as was pg and it make me sick. I asked at the butchers and the guy who they suggested who did them culled them too (normaly dh does it and I prep)