Exactly how noisy is a rooster?

[veganloraine]

In June I took in 7 "broiler" chicks that were the unwilling participants in a kindergarten hatching project. I had a forever home lined up willing to take all seven, but it fell through. The poults are now 9 weeks old and I'm pretty sure that at least one is male, with three other possible males and three fairly definite females. Of course, I cannot find anyone willing to take a rooster. I live in the city and have one "broiler" hen and one ex-battery layer hen with room in my coop to comfortably keep two more "broilers". If I keep a rooster, will the neighbours (who know I have chickens) be annoyed by crowing? My hens are very vocal when they lay an egg, yet the neighbours have only ever commented on hearing them once.

Thanks.

 

[HEChicken]

It varies so much it is impossible to really answer your question. I have one rooster who almost never crows, but I've had others who do it from before sun-up until after you'd think he should have quit. The volume also varies. I keep large fowl now and I don't mind their crows nearly as much as the bantams I had a couple of years ago who have such a high-pitched crow that even though the sound may not be as loud, it is definitely more piercing.

Even living in the city, you can get away with having a rooster if none of the neighbors complain. Only you know your neighbors. The best thing would probably be to approach them and ask how they'd feel about hearing a rooster crowing. Its surprising how many people welcome the sound as it gives them a little feel of country in the city, or reminds them of visiting Grandma's farm when they were a kid, or whatever.

 

[veganloraine]

That was great advice! Thank you.