Prairie Chicken

[ChickensPrairie]

I live in a neighbor hood with 2 hens and 1 roosters. Its a silkie rooster and we are not puspose to have him. No one cares that he crows they are us to it. We are thinking of hatching 12 prairie chickens. We heard that the males will boom once a year and it can be heard from a mile. Do you think the people will care if its once a year? We will sell most of the males but keeping 3 and all the hens. We are not sure how many males or females there will be. Do you think its againest the law to have one? I live in Roanoke, Virginia.

 

[Odelia]

When you say once a year what do you mean? It only happens 1 time one day of the year? Or do you mean that there is a short window of time (lets say a week) when they will do this several times a day. When you say you can hear it from a mile away do you mean a mile out in the woods or a mile in town with cars and lawn mowers and all the other noise pollution that comes with a urban area? If it is a short amount of time during daylight hours your neighbors should not care anymore than they do about a silkie rooster. As far as it being legal are they a protected species? How are you acquiring them? They best way to know for certain is to call your local city hall or fish and game. They should be able to answer if owing this species is legal where you live. Good luck on your new project.

 

[ChickensPrairie]

I live in a neighbor hood with 2 hens and 1 roosters. Its a silkie rooster and we are not puspose to have him. No one cares that he crows they are us to it. We are thinking of hatching 12 prairie chickens. We heard that the males will boom once a year and it can be heard from a mile. Do you think the people will care if its once a year? We will sell most of the males but keeping 3 and all the hens. We are not sure how many males or females there will be. Do you think its againest the law to have one? I live in Roanoke, Virginia.

well there is woods behind us and then theres a neighbor hood. Once a year like one day out of the year.

 

[Blooie]

As far as I know in Virginia you can do this but all of your birds must be close banded. It is illlegal to bring any in from another state unless they, too, are close banded. Prairie chickens are considered endangered in many states, and during the breeding season the booming can indeed be heard from some distance away. In fact if you close enough to them when they are indulging in their courtship display you can almost feel the booming! Here in Wyoming we protect them fiercely.

You might contact your local fish and wildlife department, as Odelia wisely suggested. I don't know how old the information is that I have on hand. They may also enroll you in a "breed, raise and release" program. Just a thought.

 

[La granja]

Hello everyone,
This is my first time, I am still learning where to go ?
I notice this conversation and I thought to ask anyone for this question?

We have two boys who are in 4 h and would love to raise some prairie chicken for next year project ( 4 H )
Does any one know how to get in contact of people who has this kind of breed?

We live by Bonner ferrry ~ Idaho

Thanks a lot for your support!
M & W