DIY NoCrow collar; It works!!

[504272]

If perchance the collar fails, if you can block out any possible light from your coop that will keep him quiet as well.
Even though at 5am it looks very dark to us your rooster can see ultraviolet light so he can see the sun rising way before we can.
He's a handsome fella.

Yep, doing that to the coop is another plan on the drawing table. This was just a quick temporary fix.

 

[IamRainey]

Hi Mary-

I'm dealing with exactly the same thing with a 7mo roo we didn't intend to have but have fallen in love with.

We're on 1/2 acre lots so we're not far from a number of neighbors. So our roo is also sporting a No-Crow (don't I wish) collar. We lock them in the coop at night and don't let them out until 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends and holidays. These things make a difference but he still crows all day and his volume has only been slightly reduced by the collar.

I've also just ordered a 2' X 4' jute rug. I'm going to experiment with lining the interior of the coop with something that will baffle some of the sound waves. ...'cause days are only beginning to get longer and I doubt I can keep the crowing down until 8 or 9 once we have full daylight by 6am. I chose jute because it's a natural material I won't worry too much about the chickens pecking at while they remain confined. I'll just have to see how this goes. And what non-toxic means I can find to fix it to the walls.

I'm not going to be able to re-home M. Maurice without worrying that he goes to someone who will put him in a fighting ring. And culling is just beyond my sensibilities. Besides, my husband and I really enjoy him! I've just gotta find something that works.

 

[504272]

Hi Mary-

I'm dealing with exactly the same thing with a 7mo roo we didn't intend to have but have fallen in love with.

We're on 1/2 acre lots so we're not far from a number of neighbors. So our roo is also sporting a No-Crow (don't I wish) collar. We lock them in the coop at night and don't let them out until 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends and holidays. These things make a difference but he still crows all day and his volume has only been slightly reduced by the collar.

I've also just ordered a 2' X 4' jute rug. I'm going to experiment with lining the interior of the coop with something that will baffle some of the sound waves. ...'cause days are only beginning to get longer and I doubt I can keep the crowing down until 8 or 9 once we have full daylight by 6am. I chose jute because it's a natural material I won't worry too much about the chickens pecking at while they remain confined. I'll just have to see how this goes. And what non-toxic means I can find to fix it to the walls.

I'm not going to be able to re-home M. Maurice without worrying that he goes to someone who will put him in a fighting ring. And culling is just beyond my sensibilities. Besides, my husband and I really enjoy him! I've just gotta find something that works.

Have you adjusted the NoCrow collar tightly enough? Is the placement low enough on the rooster's neck? Maybe try some adjustments? Good luck.

 

[IamRainey]

I think I may have bought the wrong size and it's too big. But he's only 7mo so I think he will grow into it.

The most important thing now is that my neighbor knows I'm working on solutions.

 

[504272]

I think I may have bought the wrong size and it's too big. But he's only 7mo so I think he will grow into it.

The most important thing now is that my neighbor knows I'm working on solutions.

It's good if your neighbor(s) know you are making an effort. Regarding the size, when I looked at the collars being soid online, they were telling me I need something like a 15-inch size...that's just plain crazy!! Which is why I just made my own for less than $2. When Bucky grows up, maybe I will get him a store-bought collar.

Oh, by the way...I have just enjoyed 3.5 hours with zero crowing! Keeping fingers crossed that we all sleep well tonight.

 

[504272]

So far, so good.
The rooster slept through the night with zero crowing. He started this morning at 4:15 but it was a quiet crow. The next time he made a sound it was 5:13. I am pleased with the results.
Gonna sew some comfy fleece fabric to a length of Velcro One-Wrap and hope that it will be comfortable.

 

[aart]

I had not planned on owning a rooster, but it was a gift.

I was laughing at this, people foist off unwanted males under many different guises....until you explained the situation. He's a handsome boy and I hope he works out well for you.

I looked it up online so I don't know how to explain it. If you think of a frog when they swell up that big air sack before they start croaking, it's kind of like that, but for a rooster. They have to fill 'something or other' with air to belt out a really large sound. Limit the amount of air and it mutes some or all of the sound. They can still eat, drink, make the hens happy, and all that, they just do it a bit more quietly.

That's actually one of the better explanations/analogies I've read.

 

[504272]

Analogies are what I do best as I can never fully explain in proper terms! Thanks.

My neighbor really did not want to see her roosters end up in a stew pot and she really is trying her best to find a good home for each one.

Oh, and, don't worry...I plan to pay her back for her 'kindness' by giving her a bunch of fertilized eggs. She can have the privilege of hatching them out and I will generously 'volunteer' to take back 6 of the best hens - hens only! I am hoping that there will be a sex-link thing happening so we can know from day one which are hens and which are roos. WooHoo!!

I have seen online where a Buff Orpington roo was mated with a Light Brahma hen but not the other way around. Does anyone have any experience with this particular mating and the resulting chicks?

 

[504272]

Just reporting in. The dogs and I enjoyed another lovely, quiet, peaceful night. No crowing during the night; he starts up at the 'correct' time in the morning which is okay with me now that I have figured out how to control the volume. Hurray!

Oh, and even though the rooster is fairly young, I caught him getting busy with one of the hens. Very soon I will be able to repay my neighbor for the gift. I plan to give her as many of the fertilized eggs as possible!

 

[aart]

I plan to give her as many of the fertilized eggs as possible!

What will she do with the ~50% males from hatching?