Let's talk - everything I don't know about Roos but wish I had asked

[sab]

I have 3 chickens and a pekin duck that are a formed flock. Ducky acts as head chick - protecting and being the look out. Of course, she couldn't really do much to protect except herd 'em all under a bush.

I am looking to increase my little flock this spring. I live in a neighborhood (although I do have acreage). I am very conscientious of my neighbors cause I am new to the neighborhood I do not want to cause problems. So I only let my birds free range when I am around them. Otherwise they are contained. I'll be building them an over-sized coop this spring for their enjoyment (and mine). They are pets and have names. All produce eggs but Ducky gives a an egg every single day of every single week. The birds are 1 EE and 2 BR

My concerns about owning a roo --- neighbors --- crowing.... If I was a neighbor and a roo got me up @ 5AM I'd be mad. Heck I will be mad if the darn bird gets me up that early. That's going to happen right?? How about the smaller bantam roos? Are they as noisy?? Is there a roo that only talks when spoken to by a hawk?? Will the smaller roo get along with the bigger birds. And how will that roo take to the pekin duck??

So many questions... so little time... inquiring minds want to know...

Thanks!

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Crowing.... If I was a neighbor and a roo got me up @ 5AM I'd be mad. Heck I will be mad if the darn bird gets me up that early. That's going to happen right??
It's safe to say, Yes. And at all hours of the day, too. You may not have been told about that part.
Roosters don't crow because the sun comes up, contrary to our rustic notions. They crow for far better reasons than that, in their eyes.

How about the smaller bantam roos? Are they as noisy?? Yes. They just make a higher pitched screech of a crow, albeit at reduced volume.

Is there a roo that only talks when spoken to by a hawk?? Huh? No. Chickens have as many as 35 known vocalizations. Suffice it to say they aren't shy about using their voices. In a flock environment, this is more pronounced. It can get downright noisy, at times.

Will the smaller roo get along with the bigger birds. Yes, in his way. While immature, the small male will take his place in the pecking order. Once his hormones kick in, that will change. Cocks don't "get along" with the other birds in their flock - they "rule the roost."
Theirs is a lordship's relationship, one of eminence. They aren't cruel - that is a human trait. But they are Alpha dominant, plain and simple.

And how will that roo take to the pekin duck?? There will be adaptation issues, but ducks and chickens usually manage okay, in their way. The roo will most likely push the duck to the fringe of the group and accept it at that distance. The duck, on the other hand, may resist this status. But it won't matter once the flock is rearranged. Try getting a second duck.

 

[Badbaby05]

I have 3 banty roos and 3 heavy breed roos...the banty crow LOUDER than the big roos! And crow ALOT! Soon all are headed for freezer camp, just waiting on the snow to go

 

[sab]

Oh Badbaby05... Are you saying they aren't worth the cute entertainment and protection? Freezer bound hey....
Maybe I should rethink the roo issue altogether and just stick with hens...
I'll leave all the fun to the true farmers that live out in the country.

 

[axion_lotus]

Yeah, roosters come with a lot of pros and cons.

For example, they're good for protecting a flock and keeping hens safe during freeranging, but some roos can be really aggressive and not make very good pets, and might even attack you.

I've heard horror stories about mean roos (I had one jump into my face and slash really big scratches into my arms and neck when I was a younger flock herder. Needless to say, he didn't last long after that), and then I've heard such cute little stories from the people here who have sweet cuddly roos.

And honestly, if you're worried about what the neighbors might say/do/think, you could visit each one and ask them how they feel about it, inform them of the pros and cons and see how they really feel about it. Some people might not mind the roos. I know my neighbors don't. It never hurts to ask.

Also, if they say no, but you decide to get a rooster anyway (which, based on what you said earlier you probably wouldn't want to do this, and simply keep the peace), before you do anything, check your local ordinances and laws to learn your legal rights on the matter of rooster or no rooster, and protect yourself accordingly in case complaints arise. When in doubt, cover your own a#$ first.

Hope this helps.

Good luck with everything!

 

[OkChickens]

Well I have 5 Roosters, 2 RIR, 1 Buff Orph, 1 Australorp, and 1 EE. They are fairly close to the house within 50 or so ft and the one that crows more is the EE. His crow could be an alarm clock his doodle is perfect sounding. I personally like hearing my Roosters during the day. But here in a month or two 3 or 4 well be off to freezer camp for a while.

-Nate

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
And even our much beloved "legal rights" wont stop people from coming after you. The law doesn't protect you from that; it only says what you can and cannot do, according to precedent.
Legal rights can be changed to violations with a simple vote. The Door of Democracy swings both ways.

So definitely talk to your neighbors if you are concerned about their feelings.


Another point to consider is the phenomenon of "hen crowing." Some have advised you to do without a cock, and that is an option. I've done it.
Hens will lay, and do all their 'chickeny' things without a male presence.
But in the absence of an alpha male in the flock, it is common for one of the hens to adopt the role. She will dominate the other birds like a cock and will also "crow" in her own way.... "hen crowing," in other words.
In my experience, this sound is somewhere between a true roosters crow and the wailing shriek of a banshee. The first time I heard it I said, "What the h**l was that?!" It was shocking and unexpected.

 

[featherz]

I'm trying to keep a roo for the first time - he's a gigantic Cochin X roo and only about 20-22 weeks old, so I don't know yet if he'll be mean. Anyone know when he'll be old enough to tell for sure if he can stay?

He crows about 4AM when I am running around doing 'before work' chores, but he's in a coop far from the neighbors so I don't *think* they could hear him unless they happen to be sitting outside.. Doesn't crow much during the day except for once when DH was snowblowing and he was unhappy about that..

He has never shown aggression towards me and will back off if I walk towards him but he IS chasing the girls around and having his way with them, which I assume is normal for his age and maturity level. Most seem OK with him but I do get a bit of 'hey hey HEY!' squawking..

No injuries noted yet except for a few extra feathers..

I keep waiting for him to try something with me, but I am keeping fingers crossed that he won't.

As for MY neighbors - I checked regulations and legally I think I am allowed to have a roo (right to farm and I have enough acres to have livestock and related noise), but they could get me on noise ordinances.. maybe. Not sure how those two intersect yet.

So OP, you could always give it a shot and see what happens. So far so good over here.

 

[Badbaby05]

Quote:
Not at all...I have 8 hens and 7 roos atm

I'm keeping 2 roos and getting more hens come spring but the rest are going to the freezer...unless someone would like to have a Roo. Got some cute roos too!

 

[Royd]

As for the crowing, with your acreage, I think it's a moot point, unless livestock are forbidden and someone wants to stir the pot....My coop is 75' from my front door, and if my rooster crows, at midnight, with everything turned off, it's a muffled sound....Remember, everyone prefers AC over fresh air, these days.
Far less annoying than some dog, barking at an imaginary intruder, for hours, on end.