We understand that families sometimes find themselves with a rooster they are no longer able to keep. This may happen after discovering a chick was male, when a flock has more roosters than it can accommodate, when a family moves, or when local regulations or other circumstances require a flock change.
Our Rooster Intake gives families an option to bring eligible roosters to our farm when they can no longer keep them. When we accept a rooster, Serenity Sprouts assumes the responsibility and ongoing cost of caring for him while he remains in our care. When an appropriate opportunity becomes available, he may be placed with another suitable flock, making room for another rooster in need.
How to Arrange Rooster Intake
Please read all requirements before placing your order. If your rooster meets the requirements, place one intake order for each rooster.
Step 1 — Determine Whether Your Rooster Qualifies
Health Requirements
Roosters must be in good health at intake and free of any illness, injury, parasite infestation, or condition that could place the existing flock at risk. Roosters are not eligible if they have missing feathers (can't be molting or still recovering from being pecked on), mites, lice, bumblefoot, open wounds or significant injuries, any signs of illness, history of requiring antibiotics, known contagious disease, or significant genetic defects affecting normal function.
Age & Outdoor Experience
To join, he must be mature enough to live outdoors without supplemental heat. As a general guideline, roosters should be at least 3 months old during colder months or at least 2 months old during warmer months and have a fully developed voice. If you discover a young rooster before he reaches the minimum age, you may reserve intake and bring him when he is old enough to safely join the program.
Behavior Requirements
Roosters must be manageable around people and other flock members. Roosters displaying aggression toward people aggressive behavior including intentionally running toward a person when approached from behind or repeatedly pecking at a person's feet are not accepted. If a rooster violates our no tolerance for aggression towards a person after acceptance, we will immediately harvest regardless of original care destination. If a rooster exhibits aggression towards other flock members, we will use isolation and reintroduction to aide in behavior correction. If a rooster does not respond to reasonable behavior correction techniques and repeatitively causing harm to other flock members, we will use our discretion on harvesting to protect other flock members regardless of the care designation selection.
Step 2 — Select Your Rooster's Care Designation
Lifetime Care — No Harvest
This option is for families who want their rooster to have the opportunity for a long life without intentional processing for human consumption. Roosters accepted under this designation are intended to remain flock members for the remainder of their natural life.
If later placed with another flock, the new owner must agree to accept him as a flock member and not for personal food use. The no-harvest designation is intended to follow the rooster if he is transferred. We will seek placement with families looking for a rooster and willing to honor this designation. Placement may take longer because of this additional commitment.
Delayed Harvest — 90 Days
This option provides a minimum 90-day opportunity for flock placement. If a suitable flock is found during this period, he may be placed there. If no suitable placement is found after 90 days, Serenity Sprouts may choose to humanely process the rooster for human consumption as part of responsible livestock management. This provides additional placement time while recognizing that the rooster remains livestock.
Livestock Care
This is the standard livestock-care option. Your rooster will receive appropriate care while in our program and may be placed with another suitable flock. Because he remains livestock, there is no additional restriction on future agricultural use. If a suitable flock cannot be found, he may be managed for agricultural purposes, including humane processing for human consumption when appropriate. Selecting Livestock Care does not mean a rooster will necessarily be processed; it means no additional restriction on future livestock use is requested.
Your selected care designation will be recorded with the rooster's intake information.
Step 3 — Select the Appropriate Rooster Origin
Accidental Rooster Originally Purchased From Serenity Sprouts as a Female Chick
If you purchased a chick from us that was identified as female but later developed as a rooster, you do not need to purchase an intake option. Text 303-359-9484 with your original order number and breed. The rooster must meet our health, age, and behavior requirements at intake. We may also provide store credit based on the original purchase price according to applicable purchase terms.
Accidental Rooster Obtained Elsewhere
Roosters obtained from other sources may have different backgrounds and bloodlines. A higher intake fee may apply.
Too Many Roosters From Unsexed Chicks Purchased From Serenity Sprouts
If you purchased unsexed chicks from Serenity Sprouts and later have more roosters than your flock can accommodate, a discounted intake option is available. Our bloodlines may be attractive to families looking to add a rooster to a flock or breeding program. A valid receipt is required.
Roosters Hatched From Serenity Sprouts Hatching Eggs
If you purchased a rooster intake option with your hatching eggs, you do not need a separate intake option. If you originally declined the option but later need assistance, select the applicable intake option for roosters hatched from our hatching eggs. A valid receipt is required.
Step 4 — Complete Your Intake Order
Review your selections and complete your online order. Your selected care designation and rooster origin will be associated with the intake information. Please make sure all information is accurate so we can prepare for his arrival.
Step 5 — Bring Your Rooster to Us
Bring your rooster on a Saturday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Before leaving, please provide about an hour's notice by texting 303-359-9484 with your name and intake order number. We will prepare his intake area.
Financial Commitment
When we accept a rooster, Serenity Sprouts assumes the responsibility and ongoing expense of caring for him while he remains in our care. This includes appropriate housing, feed, water, flock care, and other needs. Because we assume this long-term responsibility, a small one-time intake fee is required. The fee covers only a portion of that responsibility and is kept as low as possible to provide an affordable option for families who can no longer keep their roosters. Families who would like to further support the program may also contribute donations. When a rooster is placed with another suitable flock, the available space may allow us to accept another rooster whose family needs assistance. We are grateful to the families who support our farm and make continued care and responsible livestock placement possible.