Novice question about cockerels

[BDutch]

My two 16 week cockerels have started having a crowing competitions. I don't mind it during the day, it's just the wee hours of the morning that it's unbearable.

Had the same experience several times. Can’t have crowing cockerels in from late winter - fall.

I'm looking for another option other than culling them. I've listed both on multiple sites for free rehoming and no takers (it's been a week).

It took me up to 3 months to rehome them. I made a few different adds to sell (and praise) them. Always managed to give the away for free /sell them for a very small fee (like $3).
I don’t know how your chances will be where you live.

Would covering the run do they can't see the sunrise stop the early morning crowing? I go let them out at 8am and my neighbors are usually off to work by then. If I could stop the pre-dawn/early morning crowing I might be able to keep them.

A cover is not enough. A tiny bit of light and even noises from the neighbourhood can trigger cockerels to crow.

Some say it helps if you keep the cockerels out of sight and far away from the hens.
The best solution is to put the cockerels in a very dark shed or a special rooster box with a few pipes for fresh air.
And then there is a final possibility to get a few no-crow collars. Some people say its a torture for the rooster. Some have accidents with them. But its a possibility if nothing else works and you don’t want to cull.
Good luck!

 

[ChickQueen77]

Are they all hens? I hear younger males tend to get taught how to behave when put with older hens that won't put up with a males shenanigans.

all of them are hens. also how much does Taz cost?

 

[BDutch]

he would have to be in with them and he might get bullied

In general the hens of another flock don’t bully a new mature cockerel. They probably gladly accept a cockerel who behaves.

But it’s always good to separate (see don’t touch) for a few weeks (maybe even quarantine).

 

[redinator]

all of them are hens. also how much does Taz cost?

Free, I'd rather rehome than cull. I know it's something I'll have to get over eventually, but they're my first chickees and I'm just not their yet. If they were being a-holes it'd be easier, lol.

 

[ChickQueen77]

maybe I will get him. I don't suppose we could like meet in the middle?

 

[redinator]

maybe I will get him. I don't suppose we could like meet in the middle?

My dad's health isn't great so 3 hours is the top (6 hours round trip) is the furthest I'd be able to go. Maybe we can post about transport train to get him to you?

 

[ChickQueen77]

I just looked it up and it is like 20 hours and 45 minutes for driving

 

[redinator]

I just looked it up and it is like 20 hours and 45 minutes for driving

Yeah, it's a trek for sure. If you decide you want him I'll do a post about a transport train and see if that works out.

 

[ChickQueen77]

what is transport train? no way am I going to drive 20 hours for 1 chicken

 

[Slothinc]

This is what I do, it might help - at least it could be worth a try!

In the evening when I go out to secure the coop, I grab the cockerel and put him in a cardboard box that is just a tiny bit bigger than him (but preferably not tall enough to stretch out his neck and crow.) I have bedding in the bottom of the box. Then I fold the flaps down so they are interlocking and so it is pretty dark in there (because the box isnt airtight, they can still breathe through small cracks between the flaps.)

The box is inside the coop. I would put each boy in a separate box, or if they don’t mind being together you can put them in one box large enough to hold the two of them.

Then when I go out in the morning around 9 am (to ensure that the neighbors had enough time to sleep in a bit) I let the boys out of the boxes. It works super well, and while it doesn’t eliminate crowing completely, it does help greatly - I can’t hear them in my house during the night or early morning.