MJ's little flock

[LozzyR]

I just find the whole no rooster business completely beyond reason. I can't think of any other creature that is so unwanted in "civilized" society. Barking dogs, wailing cats, both of which invade other peoples properties are fine it seems. A 100db sound system is fine unless it's after 11pm, but a rooster who may crow a few times especially in the morning is completely unacceptable. There must be more to it than the noise. I just don't understand what.

People doing burnouts, trail-bikes etc (not allowed but it happens and people just roll their eyes). Yes, I think we've become a bit too "civilised" for our own good.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful post. It's perfect timing because I'm over the shock of it all and you've helped me recall her and have a few peaceful tears for her.

In the end, I decided against a PM. Instead I buried her with some bread for her journey and with a few flowers at her feet. Then I planted an agapanthus above her so I'd not lose her grave.

She was a brave and stoic pullet.

Spoiler: Lorna's burial

View attachment 3374782

Sounds like a lovely send off and tribute.

 

[BY Bob]

These two have worked out sitting is less stressful than standing in a strong wind.

View attachment 3374987

Smart ladies.

 

[BY Bob]

Sooo…. Giselle started crowing this morning….

I figured. Now i know what afrizzled cockerel looks like.

Sorry.

Any chance "she" is just taking the advice Aurora gave to Snowy?

 

[BY Bob]

I reconciled myself to euthanasia of cockerels last year when thinking about hatches. For some reason, no crow collars seem unkind to me (maybe I'm wrong in holding that view, please convince me otherwise if you can). Also, I'm not confident in my abilities to maintain a rooster, especially if he hasn't got an older, wiser rooster to learn from.

I talked it over with Mark, who reminded me of three things.

First, any cockerel who hatched and grew up at my house would have a far more joyful life than almost every other cockerel (he's thinking of the egg and meat industries). Second, no chicken knows the end is coming. They live joyfully and get the best from every moment, without fretting or worrying about looming death. Third, he can put a cockerel to sleep humanely without scaring the cockerel.

I immediately saw the logic in these points and got over my fear of euthanasia for healthy cockerels.

But if I can be convinced that no crow collars are harmless, I'd think again.

I tried a no crow with Jabberwocky and I did not like it.

He did not like it.

And it really didn't work as advertised, although I may have too fearful to tighten it enough.

 

[Sussex19]

I to have read to many things about no crow collars going wrong to ever want to try one.
Luckily here, the nearest neighbor is about a km away, I cannot imagen the stress those in cites go through when they end up with a cockerel.

 

[LozzyR]

I figured. Now i know what afrizzled cockerel looks like.

Sorry.

Any chance "she" is just taking the advice Aurora gave to Snowy?

That's Bella/Billy. This is Giselle who crowed this morning.

 

[ManueB]

@LozzyR I'm sorry to hear about Giselle. I hope you can find a solution that you will not feel too unhappy about.

I love the roosters crowing, but I can understand people not wanting to be woken up. Lack of sleep from city noises used to really get on my nerves.
It's an interesting aspect of our setting with the coop in a cellar that it really hushes down the crowing : now that we have switched to low cost double glazing windows, the crows don't even wake us up.
I wonder if there is any possibility in the future of phonic isolation for coops, without sacrificing ventilation.

I'm also having to come to terms with culling cockerels if we have another hatch this summer. The only other option would be to create a bachelor pad, and I have very mixed feeling about this. But I also feel bad to think the cockerels must die just because they are males.

 

[LozzyR]

@LozzyR I'm sorry to hear about Giselle. I hope you can find a solution that you will not feel too unhappy about.

I love the roosters crowing, but I can understand people not wanting to be woken up. Lack of sleep from city noises used to really get on my nerves.
It's an interesting aspect of our setting with the coop in a cellar that it really hushes down the crowing : now that we have switched to low cost double glazing windows, the crows don't even wake us up.
I wonder if there is any possibility in the future of phonic isolation for coops, without sacrificing ventilation.

I'm also having to come to terms with culling cockerels if we have another hatch this summer. The only other option would be to create a bachelor pad, and I have very mixed feeling about this. But I also feel bad to think the cockerels must die just because they are males.

Thanks Manue. Unfortunately I don't think it's something we can do anything about, unless they slept in the garage. But they crow during the day so that wouldn't make a difference.

 

[Grammy60]

Good evening MJ and everyone