Help - he's so noisy!

[4EverOrp]

So we have just bought a new unrelated rooster to go with our girls, which completes our breeding pen for next spring. But.....he's so noisy! I have such a sad feeling inside - we have always kept a rooster and our neighbours have never complained, but I can't see that lasting now the volume has spiked! Its super loud and super often.

One minute I hope that he's just exerting his dominance over the other rooster we have (they seem to be competing) and that it will quieten down with time once he settles in - but then I change my mind and decide he'll have to go. I'm all on edge - waiting for a knock on the door

What to say when that happens?
What are my options? No crow collar (yes, i know the risks - but he'll be soup anyway if he can't stay)
Is there anything I can do.......? (Silly question )

Thanks in advance.

 

[AudieWarren]

I wouldn't even worry until they say something. Is there a no rooster ordinance? If not, continue to not worry.

 

[4EverOrp]

Of course, but I want to be prepared!

 

[townchicks]

Only time will tell if he'll settle in more quietly, I'd try to tough it out for a bit to see. Meanwhile, talk to your neighbors, explain that you realize he's very noisy and your hopes that will improve. Encourage them to let you know if it is a problem. When your neighbors are able to see that you are concerned about them, often they are actually less likely to complain. Free eggs wouldn't hurt either. That will ease your mind, while you then have time to assess this rooster, and see if he fits in with your group. It wouldn't hurt to ask the previous owner if he was noisy at their place, also.

 

[AudieWarren]

No sense in worrying though. If there is no ordinance, it's a non issue. Roosters crow, dogs bark, kids fart....it's all nature.

 

[4EverOrp]

Yep - so true!
And when we first got a rooster, the nearest neighbor admitted she liked it - lets hope she hasn't changed her mind...

Does it help to black out the coop window? It's a large converted shed with a large glass window - always left it so the hens get natural light, but could easily cover it.

 

[HeyHo]

I tried everything to get my Henry to shut up! No crow collar, blacking out the windows, letting the chickens out early, letting them out late, distracting him with food. Nothing worked for me, and I wavered back and forth about whether to keep trying or re-home him. In the end, I found him a new home where he gets to crow all day long. I hope he is happy. So, IMO, you should try every reasonable option so you can be comfortable with whatever the ultimate result is.