My 13-week-old chicks are leaving

[Red]

We originally hatched out five chicks, but with four boys and just one girl we knew they couldn't stay together for long. At ten weeks old three of the boys were re-homed, and my dad's friend (a farmer) asked if he could have the remaining boy and girl when they were a few weeks older. We said yes

On Monday, Midget (the roo) started crowing. We asked our friend if he was ready to take them because we can't keep a crowing rooster, and he said he didn't want them anymore

We immediately contacted the guy who took the other three boys and asked if he would like two more chickens, and although he said yes he is on holiday until the middle of next week. Midget now crows at 4:00am and i have to run down and distract him to shut him up!

Any ideas on how to keep him quiet? I'm gonna try making his bed pitch black tonight, anything else i can do? To make matters worse i go on holiday tomorrow, and my parents are also away and don't get back till Monday. Somebody is coming in the day to feed the animals, but nobody will be here to stop Midget crowing

They are lovely chicks and i'm gutted i won't be around to say bye; here are some pics of them taken a week or so ago...

Both of them in the kitchen, Sunny is roosting

Sunny

Midget

 

[arlee453]

Pretty boys... the only fix I know for the one crowing is to bring it in a totally dark place at night.

Can you put in a dog crate and then in the garage or a really dark closet, etc at night?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Aww they are so cute! I would have to agree..put it in a dog crate if you can and keep it in the garage. That's what I would do. At least it muffles the crows. Good luck!

 

[Red]

Thanks to both of you

They are lovely chicks, i don't understand why the guy suddenly decided he didn't want them. Wish he'd told us before then they could have all gone together

We don't have a garage, but i will try make their bedroom as dark as possible. They sleep in a broody box and are let out to free-range during the day, so i'll try keep it dark...

I did try bringing them in last night and made a pen for them indoors, but they freaked. Much flapping and panicked cheeping ensued...if he does crow tomorrow morning i'll just have to put them inside, flapping or no flapping, otherwise i fear the neighbours will kill us!

 

[villnave]

OMG!! WE RAISED THE SAME KIND OF CHICKS! And , to his crowing problem,you can NEVER quiet them at four weeks with a dark place!! Trust ME! I tried it!