Author Topic: Cock bird (Read 4824 times)

yorksfarmer · « **on:** January 04, 2009, 08:02:19 pm »

We have one huge cock bird in our flock of Buffs orpingtons, I say huge as he's about the size of a small turkey. As the Hens have just started laying should we take him away from them or will the eggs still be ok to eat even if he's had his wicked way with the hens? Sorry if this sounds like a daft question bit of a learning curve this.

garden cottage · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:24:28 pm »

no problems with eating eggs when cockerel are running with them, if and when anything goes broody and you may want to hatch your own out later on mark the eggs with a pencil so they dont get collected.

doganjo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:54:37 am »

Just remember to date the eggs when collected so you don't leave them any more than a couple of weeks.

yorksfarmer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2009, 11:11:07 am »

thanks for that, its what I thought but just wanted to be sure. If this buff gets any bigger he may have to go anyway. All he seems to do is eat and grow, his legs are like sticks of rock there that thick. Might make a nice table bird come easter who knows ?

Rosemary · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2009, 11:32:41 am »

Keep the eggs in the fridge, if you don't already so so.

Aah, wait till you raise little chickies of yoru own. Your cockerel will have a home for life!!

I like having a cockerel around - keeps the little madams in their place.

Birdie Wife · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:37:06 pm »

Technically, you aren't allowed to sell eggs that have been fertilised but they're fine for your own comsumption. If you did bite the bullet and make a meal of him you'd probably be surprised at how little meat is on an Orpington under all that feathering

breed some chicks (Orpies are born to brood!) and they should sell well. If you do get a broody hen and you still want to eat the eggs, don't eat them if they've been under her for more than a day.

Rosemary · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2009, 08:50:34 am »

Why are you not allowed to sell eggs that may be fertile? I understand that even the big producers run cockerels to rpevent bullying - hence the odd incidence of Tesco eggs hatching. I don't recall reading any regs that say you can't so I'm just want to some reassurance.

doganjo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2009, 09:42:41 am »

Yes, that worries me too - I leave eggs at the gate for neighbours and they put a contribution to the hens feed in an honesty box so technically I'm selling too.