Can a cockerel live in a 3' by 3' space? For how long?

Ted Brown

Crowing
Premium Feather Member
6 Years
Dec 12, 2018
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near Shawville Quebec Canada
My Coop
My Coop
I know that breeders use cages - breeding, segregation, medical, brood, integration, run...

I have a 10' by 16' coop and 13' by 16' covered run. I use temporary HC under my drop boards to integrate chicks with flock. I currently have 8 males and 16 females having just lost a 17th. I have just segregated 5 males (3 White Chantecler, 1 BC Maran mix, 1 Lavender Orpington mix) into one 8' by 64" by 36" cage. Mayhem to instant calm.

I will either cull or keep in segregation cages w/controlled run access to a small run.

What is the smallest cage size in a six cage configuration to accomplish this?

Happy to discuss.
 
Some of our Asian BYC members keep roosters as indoor pets, and they live in cages when they aren't being pampered with trips outside and house privileges. I myself have two roosters that spend time segregated from the hens much of the day. Their enclosure in the run is roughly 4' x 6' and the two share the space. They're content since they can talk to the hens, and on nice days, the two boys have access to the outdoors.

I would say that a 3' x 3' cage shouldn't be a problem as long as the cockerel has periods of exercise outside of the cage every so often. The problem with keeping them caged for extended periods is they need exercise to maintain strong bones, and sunshine to augment their nutritional needs.
 
Cockerels and roosters will insist they will die without unlimited access to hens, but they lie. When they have controlled access, I find everyone is much happier, especially the hens who can enjoy peace and tranquility for most of their day.

My two roosters wander around their free range area at will, but end up spending most of their time in their enclosure talking to and watching the girls. I see no adverse side effects.
 
Thinking a 36" wide cage along back wall along with a sheltered 6' roost coming west from coop wall at elevated floor level. Access door from inside in front of roost. Pop door to free range area across from access door.

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What about putting the roosters on tie cords? I had roosters in individual 4x4 houses but they were walking in their own poop all day and I felt bad.
How does one attach the tie cord to the cockerels/roosters?

Queueing off @azygous now thinking one large shared cage with pop door to free range.
 

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