If I give my rooster away before it starts crowing, is it still unlawful?

[Dragonwolfmastr]

Hi! I'm wondering about local rooster laws. I live in Seattle.
I looked up the law about roosters and it just said "roosters are not permitted." Then I looked up why and it basically said, "Cause they make so much noise."
But what if I give away a 6-8 week old rooster and it hasn't started crowing yet, then is it still unlawful?
Thank you!

 

[CharcoalDragon]

I think if you abide by the letter of the law, it would be interpreted as "if you know you have a rooster, you need to get rid of it immediately".

If you abide by the spirit of the law, it would be "get rid of it before it starts crowing and annoying your neighbors".

You will need to read your local laws very carefully, as in theory, you could get in trouble for having a rooster at all- even if it doesn't crow.
This post is not to be interpreted or construed as legal advice in any way, shape, or form.

 

[Sonya9]

I wouldn't worry about it at all as long as you rehome before the crowing starts. Birds are notoriously hard to sex anyway.

 

[sourland]

I doubt that you would face repercussions until it starts crowing or someone complains.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I would like to see them complain about it if he isn’t crowing yet. Most people don’t even know how to tell the difference between a male and female chick. It would probably be fine.

 

[BlueHorse17]

I live in Olympia and started out with 8 chickens. One of them ended up being a cockerel. He was crowing for about two weeks. The neighbors didn't complain but I gave them a heads up and asked them to let me know if his noise began to bother them. We ended up re-homing him, but not because of the neighbors, but because he kept waking me up every morning at like 6am. I knew it would happen eventually, but I also felt like his new place - a ranch - would be better for him to crow in.

 

[Elizabethwood09]

Technically it's not actually a rooster until it turns one year old. Does it say that it's illegal to have a cockerel?

 

[Dragonwolfmastr]

Thank you everyone! I will look into this. All your answers have been very helpful!

 

[Leader Bee]

Wow, I live in the UK and have never heard of this - It sounds a bit harsh not to be able to have a rooster AT All anywhere in Seattle? surely there must be less densely populated areas of the city just like anywhere else that it's far enough away from other people to not be a problem.

I mean... I have a pair of geese and I live in the middle of the city...

 

[Dragonwolfmastr]

Wow, I live in the UK and have never heard of this - It sounds a bit harsh not to be able to have a rooster AT All anywhere in Seattle? surely there must be less densely populated areas of the city just like anywhere else that it's far enough away from other people to not be a problem.

I mean... I have a pair of geese and I live in the middle of the city...

That may work... Borders are a bit different in the US but I'll look into it, try to see if there is a suburban or rural area where I can raise one. Seattle is a very urban city though!
Thanks for the help.