Pekin boy?

[Mistycc]

Hi all
I am a total newbie here and am looking for some help. I tried hatching some chicks at my school and only managed to get this little fella. I was told he is a pekin and possibly a male. Just wanted to check if this was right. I know it isn't a great picture. He is just about 6 weeks old in the picture. He is such a pet and would spend his day settled on your shoulder.

I never thought chicken love was real but I adore him and want to bring him home so I've got some questions. First off, how noisy will he be when he starts crowing? I've looked at web page after web page and lots of them are saying that keeping him would be a bad idea. I couldn't keep him as an indoor pet as my indoor cats may consider him a snack so he would need to live outdoors. If I am able to keep him could I get him some company and what would be a good idea to put in with him? He has been used to being handled every day and runs up my arm to get cuddles so I worry he will get lonely as I can't live in his chicken coop with him.

I know it might sound a bit dramatic but I feel really responsible for this little chicky as I brought him into the world!

The thought of having to do away with him because he will be too loud is heart breaking. Any advice would be fantastic.

 

[hdowden]

it is a cockerel but not a pure cochin

First off, how noisy will he be when he starts crowing? roosters can crow throughout the day and night

I've looked at web page after web page and lots of them are saying that keeping him would be a bad idea. why would it be a bad idea?? its only bad if your not allowed to own a rooster were you live

I couldn't keep him as an indoor pet as my indoor cats may consider him a snack so he would need to live outdoors. you need a coop thats big enough for him and 2-3 hens so a total of (3-4 chickens) and this coop will need to be predator proofed and chicken wire doesnt cut it as that wont keep out dogs, coons, opossums, ect.

If I am able to keep him could I get him some company and what would be a good idea to put in with him? any breed will do if he is a standard you need some more standards if hes bantam then either other bantams or standards pullets will do

He has been used to being handled every day and runs up my arm to get cuddles so I worry he will get lonely as I can't live in his chicken coop with him. he's probley lonely now as they are social animals that need to be kept in groups of 2 or more

 

[donrae]

My bantam cochin roo starts crowing around 4 am. It's high pitched and he's pretty persistant. He doesn't crow after the sun comes up.

Are you allowed to have roosters where you live? Will your neighbors be tolerant of him?

You could get two similar sized hens to keep him company. Or, if you can keep roosters, you could start a little bachelor pad and get a couple more roos to be with him. If there aren't any hens around they squabble a little but no drawn out fighting.

 

[Mistycc]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. He is a bantam (least I know something useful) As far as I am aware there are no legal issues having a rooster but I was concerned about the noise and annoyed neighbours. I'm from the UK (didn't notice this was an American site as I was too caught up reading all the great threads) so I'm not sure if the opinion on roosters is different here. A lot of UK poultry forums were talking about culling chicks as soon as they realise they are roosters as no one really wants them unless you are planning on breeding. I spoke to a local chicken owner and it was all doom and gloom about how noisy he would be and how he would become territorial and aggressive.

Well he's my wee fella so unless the neighbours cause major trouble then he'll be staying. I've got a 6 foot by 6 foot run coming for him and a 4 foot by 3 foot coop and he'll have run of the garden when I can be out with him. I think he'll have enough room for some friends.

What age will he start crowing so I can be prepared to give the neighbours ear plugs?

Thanks again for the help and sorry if I'm asking daft questions!

 

[stephanie1992]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. He is a bantam (least I know something useful) As far as I am aware there are no legal issues having a rooster but I was concerned about the noise and annoyed neighbours. I'm from the UK (didn't notice this was an American site as I was too caught up reading all the great threads) so I'm not sure if the opinion on roosters is different here. A lot of UK poultry forums were talking about culling chicks as soon as they realise they are roosters as no one really wants them unless you are planning on breeding. I spoke to a local chicken owner and it was all doom and gloom about how noisy he would be and how he would become territorial and aggressive.

Well he's my wee fella so unless the neighbours cause major trouble then he'll be staying. I've got a 6 foot by 6 foot run coming for him and a 4 foot by 3 foot coop and he'll have run of the garden when I can be out with him. I think he'll have enough room for some friends.

What age will he start crowing so I can be prepared to give the neighbours ear plugs?

Thanks again for the help and sorry if I'm asking daft questions!

aww hes cute, could be a brahma...do u have thos there? Cockerels crow at 3-6 months of age, Or even 7 months. My Cochin bantam(pekin) is crowing now and hes 3 months old.