Old fashioned idea

[gal_amy]

We have 12 little chicks. All pullets. When I ordered them, I didn't want a rooster as we live in town. Plenty of neighbors have chickens so I guess it's ok. I didn't want to cause any problems with noise, but now DH wants a rooster and have babies the old fasioned way. What rooster would you suggest? How can you keep them quiet? We have and insulated coop, but of course the yard isn't. I have read that to put the rooster in a smalll dog crate at night, to keep him from crowing early in the morning.

We have Cinnamon queens, RIR, and Silver Laced Wydonattes (sp?)

Thanks for any help

Amy

 

[poultryrox11]

As for what kind of roo to get, I am not completly sure. If your neighbors have chickens, why would crowing bother them?

 

[texaschickmom]

Good luck with keeping a rooster from crowing! Mine crows before daylight and off and on during the day for no apparent reason.

 

[gal_amy]

Quote:
I should have been more specific. We live in a small town, and in different area's I do hear crowing.

 

[spiritdance]

Why not talk to your neighbors first? Explain to them that your coop is insulated and that you can keep the roo inside until a reasonable hour, and see how they react. They may have no problem with it. And if they do, it's better to know now than after you get a roo and get attached to him.

 

[sawmane1]

If you do want a rooster you should get a Ko-Shamo they crow less loudly.

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

I'm not sure there is a "quiet" rooster. If you are planning to keep a roo with your backyard flock you might consider the breed temperament rather than noise. You are going to have to go to GREAT lengths to keep a roo quiet. I have an injured roo right now and he crows every morning at 6:05 on the dot, in his dog crate in the dark laundry room/basement. Seriously, he is going to crow. So if that is going to be a problem, I would suggest not getting a roo. If you are looking to raise babies "the old fashioned way," you might consider getting some fertile eggs and letting one of your girls hatch them when she goes broody. But the chicks will be straight-run, so you are going to have to rehome the boys anyway.

If you are looking for a sweet roo, try a Cochin. I have found them to have great temperaments and be kid safe.

Good Luck!

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I agree with this approach.. but not completely.. I would give it to the neighbors at it's worst scenereo.. my rooster might crow at night, and at any other time.. then whittle it down from there if you have to.. offer free rooster service to their hens.. that should make all participating parties happy..

there is no way of knowing if a rooster is a crower or not.. he might be silent for the people who you get him from, but then when you get him home and he is the only one, he might become a crower..

 

[gal_amy]

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll forget getting a rooster. We had a neighber that had a poodle that barked ALL day. It was more than irritating.