Really EXCESSIVE CROWING

[OstrichEmu]

Is he in complete darkness at night or is there light getting into the coop? Our first rooster crowed a lot more, night and day, until we blocked off all the light from the closest street lamp. It may not help, but worth a try.

TLDR: Not complete darkness, their choice and other factors out of our control.

I thought about this, we live in a really hot area so they sleep in the open (their choice) and I turn off the outside lights at 4am because sometimes it helps delay the crowing. Streetlights I can't really control unfortunately and neighbors have their lights on too. I could try keep him in the garage until morning? The garage is generally cool, especially at night so it's a viable option. I just worry the girls will be restless without him.

 

[OstrichEmu]

If no crowing is acceptable, yeah. Chances are, he'll end up going to someone who will eat him. you may find the perfect person who just needs a protector, but roosters are a dime a dozen and most people don't want them, so they get eaten.

There are other roosters in the area so I'm sure crowing isn't "not acceptable" albeit incredibly annoying

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Extra food? Crow. Fresh water? Crow. Treats? Crow.

Sounds like you are rewarding his crowing. Stop it.

Shout? Crow. Chuck water at him? Even MORE crowing.

Even these things are "rewarding" him with your attention.

A change in your behavior, however, is not likely to stop his at this point. But please do not use zip ties to cut off his breathing. This sounds inhumane and could have terrible results.

 

[nuthatched]

TLDR: Not complete darkness, their choice and other factors out of our control.

I thought about this, we live in a really hot area so they sleep in the open (their choice) and I turn off the outside lights at 4am because sometimes it helps delay the crowing. Streetlights I can't really control unfortunately and neighbors have their lights on too. I could try keep him in the garage until morning? The garage is generally cool, especially at night so it's a viable option. I just worry the girls will be restless without him.

The girls won't care, they really don't need him. I can't imagine they're pleased about the crowing either.

 

[OstrichEmu]

Sounds like you are rewarding his crowing. Stop it.



Even these things are "rewarding" him with your attention.

A change in your behavior, however, is not likely to stop his at this point. But please do not use zip ties to cut off his breathing. This sounds inhumane and could have terrible results.

I don't want to restrict him in any way, it's cruel in my opinion... But I had no idea that he saw my reactions as rewarding. I'll try ignoring him and see if it helps

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't want to restrict him in any way, it's cruel in my opinion... But I had no idea that he saw my reactions as rewarding. I'll try ignoring him and see if it helps

Expect it to get worse before it gets better, though, and to take some time. If he has been using his crowing to get a response from you and suddenly you start ignoring him, his first reaction is going to be to try harder. So be prepared for that. Good luck!

 

[OstrichEmu]

Expect it to get worse before it gets better, though, and to take some time. If he has been using his crowing to get a response from you and suddenly you start ignoring him, his first reaction is going to be to try harder. So be prepared for that. Good luck!

Oh he for sure is looking for a response. My husband mentioned that he is doing it on purpose but I brushed it off as him just being a noisy boy. Do they actually do that kind of thing? I know chickens are really smart but is actually trying to get me to "cock fight" him like a verbal fist fight?

 

[LaurelC]

Best of luck. One of my roosters just likes the sound of his own voice and will holler all day for seemingly no reason.

 

[Folly's place]

Lights on all night, not helpful. And I agree with @BigBlueHen53 about rewarding the crowing! Is he crowing in response to other crowing he hears, however faint? Our birds will do that too, when we had neighbors 1/2 mile away with a new rooster.
If he's making you crazy, move him on elsewhere. Otherwise, ignore it and see if he grows out of it over time. If roosters are legal where you live, don't worry about the neighbors. i think excessively barking dogs are worse!
Mary

 

[OstrichEmu]

Lights on all night, not helpful. And I agree with @BigBlueHen53 about rewarding the crowing! Is he crowing in response to other crowing he hears, however faint? Our birds will do that too, when we had neighbors 1/2 mile away with a new rooster.
If he's making you crazy, move him on elsewhere. Otherwise, ignore it and see if he grows out of it over time. If roosters are legal where you live, don't worry about the neighbors. i think excessively barking dogs are worse!
Mary

Our area isn't so safe so his crowing is potentially keeping intruders out. Honestly I'm just searching for good point for ol' Sprinkles. There are definitely other roosters in the area he could be responding to, I've heard them.