How do I deal with my rooster?

[michu032]

Hello!
This is my first time ever having chickens and my first time posting!! I have two hens and a rooster that are about 4 months. By ownership, they belong to my parents, but I definitely take care of them. We have a chicken coop made from a playhouse. They free roam the backyard all day and then go back into the coop at about 7:30pm.

The rooster, crows loudly at about 5:30am every day. It's right outside my bedroom, so I wake every morning to let them out and he still crows for about 15 minutes and settles down. Then does it randomly throughout the day. I don't doubt that my neighbors can hear it just as clear as I can. He can be sweet, and was when he was younger. Now, (mostly) he's just moody, stand-offish, hates being picked up, and can be a bit aggressive. We also lost a hen to a predator a few weeks ago, our rooster fought but didn't win . I've read that those symptoms may just be hormones and him growing. I've considered finding him a new home, but my parents insist on keeping him. So, their word is over mine.

I love the silly animals, I've put a lot of work into raising them. Neighbors haven't said anything about the crowing yet, but I would really appreciate some extra hours of sleep. I'm looking into sound proofing the coop, but no idea how to execute. I'm working on a budget since I have school, so I'm reaching out for some suggestions.

Please and thank you very much!!

 

[whiskeytripping]

It sounds like in your current situation you don't need a rooster. A rooster is going to do what he does best. Be a rooster! See if someone will trade you a hen for him. You never know

 

[Bens-Hens]

I have had a similar position. We really want to keep a rooster or two for as long as we can so we can get a few fertile eggs to hatch again.

We live in suburbia, and roosters being roosters is likely to upset the neighbors at 5 am. Personally it does not bother me, but I don't want to have to deal with upset locals either.

I have read many ways which are supposed to delay early crowing, so I worked on a cheap project which combined most common theories into one. A rooster night box.

Here is my link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/792990/our-diy-rooster-night-box/30#post_11522782

That may be out of DIY reach if you don't have access to those such materials, but you could use the same principals to make something yourself from handy materials.

It means a bit of extra work tucking him in of a night, and letting him back out at a reasonable hour in the morning but it will help with things at 5 am.

Alternatively, you could try sound proof the entire coop and put a pop door on so they can't get out until a reasonable hour, but that may be more work than just one box.

Good luck with what ever way you choose.

Ben