How noisy are roosters before they get to butchering age?

[sahmoffour]

A bit of back story;

We just moved to an acreage (4.5 acres) in a subdivision. We are allowed animals here, but technically only 5 total. We will be well over that number, but out place is very treed and private. Lots of our neighbors don't follow the laws/covenants either, it's generally along the lines of "if you don't bother your neighbors they won't bother you or care what you're doing".

I had really wanted heritage breeds, and had planned originally on trying to become sustainable and letting chickens hatch out replacement chicks each year. But, after some more thought, I don't know if it's a good idea to keep any roosters at all. I grew up on a farm and I know how loud they can be so I don't want to risk getting complaints from annoyed neighbors.

BUT, the only way I can get heritage birds are to order straight-run, and at first I figured I'd just butcher the roos when they reach butchering weight, but after some research I'm finding that's 16-20 weeks old. Aren't they crowing pretty good by that age? Would I drive my neighbors crazy before they get to butchering weight? The minimum heritage breed order is 25, so chances are I'll have 12-13 roosters total.

Would I be smarter to just give up on heritage breeds and just go with Isa Browns or Red Rock Crosses where I'd be able to order just pullets?

Thanks for your input!

 

[AlienChick]

Yes, the roos will probably be just starting to crow by the time you are ready to butcher.
You'll have to ask yourself why you particularly want heritage breeds.
If eggs and meat are your primary concerns, then definitely go with the sexed dual-purpose breeds.

I just butchered 9 roosters because they were just too loud outside my window every morning.
Also, because they were terrorizing my poor hens with their constant mating.
I also don't have any neighbors near enough to hear the roosters.
However, when I lived in a subdivision last year with about 4 acres, I did worry about the roosters.
No one complained or seemed to mind at all; I would get the occasional, "Oh, YOU'RE the one with the chickens!"
At that time all my chickens were locked up inside the coop at night and only let out when I got up (usually about 8:30), so the noise of the roosters didn't necessarily become loud till they were free ranging after 8:30.
I enjoy having roosters, but they can be a bit annoying sometimes.
Did you ask your neighbors if they would mind hearing roosters crowing in the morning (and at night sometimes) . . . (and at 2a.m. sometimes)?
Good luck with your decision and enjoy your chickens!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Any roosters I have had started crowing by 12 weeks at the latest, so that's a month or two of crowing before butchering. The noise level depends on the roosters themselves.

 

[ButchGood]

Whats the earliest they started crowing for you. And whats the average age.

Any roosters I have had started crowing by 12 weeks at the latest, so that's a month or two of crowing before butchering. The noise level depends on the roosters themselves.