[sabrina]

Yesterday was the end for 3 of our cockerel's. I decided to keep one of the young Sussex and let Henry go as he had not been too great over the past month. At 4 years old he was a big tough bird but he had an old leg injury from the time the fox got hold of him and this was beginning to cause him to limp.My OH did the deed and we cooked all three birds to feed to the dogs. I cannot bring myself to eat them because I am so close to them and chat every day. There like friends. I did however catch them and take them round to my OH to save them getting too stressed. I am the one who does all the looking after so it has always been me who has caught them when needed. I felt sad but knew it had to be done to stop fighting and this morning harmony has been restored in the hen house. 

[Heather]

well done.  You did it the right way.

[Rosemary]

Look on it as a noble death 

[northfifeduckling]

they had a great life! 

[JEP]

wish my lad would kill some of his
got 5 with 8 hens told him  sort the 2 he wants to keep
but keep putting it of

[SallyintNorth]

Well done for doing the right thing in as kind a way as possible. 

I developed steel about culling excess cockerals when my boys gang-raped a favourite pullet to death.  JEP you can tell your lad this story if it helps.  It was horrible and I have never forgiven myself for being so dilatory.