Dark Box for Roosters?

[NapsWithChickens]

I live in a suburban area (with big lots) where I'm not zoned for roosters. I don't want to offend the neighbors with rooster crowing (I'm a light sleeper and I can't handle that either)... or bring the code violations lady down on me, but I want to keep 3 or 4 roosters for a small breeding project. So...

I have heard that keeping the roosters in a dog crate at night in the garage kept them quiet until they were let outside at a decent hour. I was going to do this until I realized that it would be a pain to schlep the roosters back and forth every morning and night. (Or coax them with meal worms or whatever...)

I'm building a new run and coops for this breeding project (note to self: gotta post pics) and my girlfriend suggested that I encorporate a "dark box" mini-coop for the roosters at night. I like that idea ALOT and have been kicking around design ideas, BUT...

I'd really value some feedback on dark boxes... and keeping roosters in a suburban area. I don't want to recreate the wheel or go down a dead end street when there are so many BYC folks who know more than I do...

Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[insiderart]

One of my neighbor's roosters crows all day long. The other neighbors not so much. So I'm not sure.

 

[Beekissed]

Roosters can sense the coming day and mine often start crowing while it is still dark...like anywhere from 3 am to 6 am. I now have a mostly silent roo, so I got really lucky in that regard. Most folks aren't so lucky to happen on to a roo that rarely crows or crows as quietly as does this one.

Might I suggest you let your broody hens sit on fertilized eggs from the breed you desire(plenty of home breeders out there selling eggs), instead of trying the whole roo thingy? That solves a lot of problems right off the bat. No roo, no crow!

 

[NapsWithChickens]

Ugh... crowing all day would NOT be good. Forget the neighbors, that would irk me to death!

These are very docile (and gorgeous!) giant cochin roos. Haven't started to crow yet... need to look up how old they are...

Any one with giant cochin roos? Are they on the noisy side?

 

[Tala]

I want my rooster fully able to sound the alarm and fight anything that makes it into fort knox.

We had one raccoon get in, and it was me being up with the flashlight and my roo attempting to fight (he has no spurs yet) that saved my pullet's butt. I lock the door with a padlock now, but I still feel safer knowing that mr rooster is on duty.

 

[pixie74943]

Quote:
I've heard a slightly more logical reason than they 'sense' the coming day. Rooster (and hens and pretty much all birds and critters that arent people) have different eye structure, and therefore see differently, cause they pick up different light. Hence why a flock will be able to tell each other apart, even when you swear their identical.

Chickens (and roosters) are supposed to be able to see UV light, so their eyes are picking up the sunrise before yours are. Your dark box would have to be well made to keep them from noticing.


Good new is, i have heard of it WORKING (people in the bakground start cheering). And ive heard of it not working, but the good news is, even if they crow, you could insulate your box so their crowing is muffled.

Only problem would be worrying about them overheating in summer.

 

[Bigdaddy101]

I have some game birds that free rage outside my bathroom window. Every morning when i turn on the bathroom light he starts it up. And of course this gets all the penned roosters goin as well. It is great. I know all of their crows so it's like rol call for me each morning.

 

[wildorchid053]

my rooster crows all the time .. should of heard him the other night.. son had a big bonfire and that rooster crowed and crowed. he must have thought the sun was rising... it was 2 am lol. good thing we live on 3 acres.. no nearby neighbors. i don't think you can stop him from crowing .. he has to go outside sometime

 

[Beekissed]

I've heard a slightly more logical reason than they 'sense' the coming day

Well....yeah. Sight is commonly and logically known as one of the "senses".......

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I would forgo the roo. You cannot control how much or how often they crow. I have 1 partridge rock roo, 3 oeb roos and 3 cochin roos. At the crack of dawn, usually around 4:30 or so they are at it.
I don't mind at all. I love it! My neighbor even said he thinks it's cool. On a side not though, that is how I got my partidge rock roo and 5 hens. The person lived in the city and the crowing got her in hot water. She listed them on C.L and the rest is history!