Possible New Ag Restrictions For Roosters

[kalakoa]

"there are already laws in place for that"

Developer shall pave roads prior to final subdivision plat approval...

[MarkD]

Still hoping to get some further clarification from experts on why people need more than just a few roosters. Discussion points:

1) Hens do not need roosters to lay eggs. (These eggs are infertile and people eat them.) You would need roosters to raise a large number of chicks. (So you are producing large numbers of chicks for sale, presumably, and need one (breeding) rooster for every 10 hens?)

2) Raising roosters (capons) to eat their meat. Below link seems to says capon meat can be better than hen meat if you remove the capon's testes. ("caponizing") But if they are caponized they are less noisy? I'll let the Puna ag experts clarify all this.

https://modernfarmer.com/2014/04/capons-...ng-luxury/

[mermaid53]

Mrs Mimosa and terracore, Mahalo for your tips. I don't think anyone wants to invest money into removing these roosters YET. Where there are roosters, unfortunately there will be more in due time. The GM told me she dumped some of her hens and roosters up at the hui too.The irresponsible action of this lot owner (she moved but still owns another lot in KP) abandoning her critters into the neighborhood, just reveals another negative facet of this individual's character. As a former board rep, she left a lingering trail of chaos behind as well.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Still hoping to get some further clarification from experts on why people need more than just a few roosters.

The only reason on Hawaii Island is to raise fighting cocks, which are sold and shipped to other countries where strapping razors to a rooster's leg and letting two of them fight to the death is still legal. Also, they are still used as the main event in illegal gambling operations here on the Big Island.

The new proposal will not further outlaw any of this as rooster "farmers" can still buy a 5 acre lot with deeper property line setbacks to house their birds. It's not unaffordable for the owners to do this either, as fighting roosters can easily sell for $1000+ each.

The only effect of the new proposal is to get phony rooster "farms" out of 1 acre, 2 acre or smaller subdivisions so their neighbors can sleep at night. All other legitimate ag operations will still be permitted, including the ability to raise 100 hens for eggs, a real farming enterprise. If you like chickens and need a lot of them around you to complete your life and provide happiness, learn to love hens.

Note on show birds vs fighting roosters. Show birds are like purebred dogs, or cats, or any other animal. Most state fairs around the country have judging contests for show birds and award blue ribbons for the chicken judged to be best of the breed. 4-H Clubs are active in this area, helping young people learn how to provide the best care for their animals. The owner of a legitimate show bird would never harm their bird in an intentional fight.

Check out the large number of chicken breeds:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-bre...-list.aspx
I always liked the Sebright Bantams.

"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water.” - President Donald J. Trump

[mermaid53]

It doesn't help that the USPS ships live roosters...but that is a whole other can of worms.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

It doesn't help that the USPS ships live roosters..

There's a long history of the post office shipping chickens. When I lived on the mainland you could buy day old chicks, which were shipped 100's of miles or more in a cardboard box and delivered to your porch, generally in the spring. It was probably 99.9999% of their total chicken shipping business, the illegal part was barely a blip on their radar.

"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water.” - President Donald J. Trump

[mermaid53]

Too bad we can't call "Turtle Man" to help us out. He helped people out w/all sorts of critter problems.

[MarkD]

HOTPE, thanks for link on the various chickens. Interesting. Now we also know another of the terms: poultry enthusiasts

$1000 for a rooster? Reminds me of the rich Japanese who spend big money on koi.

[Mimosa]

Show Birds are what we raise and take pride in.
Ours are Bards.
We had many more of both hens and Bard Show Birds but have been culling our flock . At present we have two Show Birds and 62 hens .Free range.
Not housed or penned .
Speaking of Koi - One of our nephews has been raising Koi for over 30 years - he has built intricate ponds akin to the fish ponds down 4 mile . About a decade ago he built us 2 ponds expressly for raising of Koi . The multi colored ones from japan are almost two feet in length and 5 to 6 inches in girth ,with puffy eyes like popcorn .These old time breeds can fetch over $2000.00 per Koi.
They have prolific offspring which we raise in separated ponds till large enough to mingle with the adults .We also put netting over the ponds so the carnivores or rips can not access as easily.
This is just one facet of our farming operation and easy to do .
Teaches the grand kiddos all types of animal husbandry .
We also raise citrus and avocados which are sold at the Hilo Farmers Market exclusively .
Kalo and Ulu along with potatoes and dry land rice and mungo beans.
We work hard outdoor rain or shine 365 days per year.
Mrs.Mimosa

[MarkD]

The affinity for chickens, "show" or otherwise, sounds like an interesting hobby. But it seems to impact the feral chickens roaming everywhere business.

Thankfully my current residence is rooster-free. My previous place was blissfully quiet from the 1980s to late 2000s. When feral chickens arrived I shot every one I could with a pellet gun. Worked good for about 3 years.

Then neighbors moved in who took big offense. Huge hassle. They viewed the birds like people view ducks in parks. Common pets. "Learn to love the feral chickens."

Apparently the Philippines has this view of feral chickens. It seems the same view is taking hold here.

I would not be surprised if some folks convince law enforcement to categorize "killing feral chickens as pests" as cruelty to animals.