Silencing a rooster

[Feath3rDust3r]

When I was a kid we had chickens and our rooster would crow late in the evening and very early morning...the neighbors weren't impressed. My dad lifted the roosts and the floor so that when we shut the chickens in for the night they could sit comfortably but not stand up tall ....I guess the rooster couldn't crow without stretching his head because after that he would only crow after he was let out in the morning.

 

[Grafin]

I feel for you, my favorite hen is looking rather rooster like lately. Time to start begging the neighbors to let me keep him/her

 

[Jackiedyl68]

I have a difficult decision to make. One of my four new chicks is a rooster. Hopefully the only one.

He is a pretty awesome bird. Tame, allows me to pick him up easily and likes my big hens. They all share our yard plus an 18 x 16 pen.

We live in the city where chickens are not welcomed. Either I find a way to keep him quiet or he has to go.

Going away is a problem. I haven't found any takers. A few places are dealing with predator problems and have lost several birds. Tried the collar but he freaks out something awful. Even had a friend who uses one check it out. Luci does not tolerate the collar.

Lucifer (previously Lucille) is not loud (yet) nor does he crow a lot. I've accustomed the chick flock to stay in their ample coop until at least 8:30am. I have to be quiet in the morning or he will call for me. There is food water treats and multiple levels for them to hop around. My big girls are in a different coop next to the the chick coop. They're very quiet until they see or hear me. Then they too call for me.

Now, I'm cognizant of the fact that Luci will get louder and more active as he matures.

Short of building them an actual house is there anything I can do? I don't want to mutilate his vocal chords but I don't want to endanger him either.

Help!

My little peewee wears a collar it does not bother him and he sounds like a bike horn which is pretty hysterical! I had to bring Marty in the house at night and put him on a covered cat carrier which he did not mind at all he would just walk on the house and go in it! I did finally find him a farm to live at but anyway train him to come in and sleep in the house! It only takes a few days to get him in the routine and he sleeps until you uncover him! Good luck

 

[colleeflowers]

My little peewee wears a collar it does not bother him and he sounds like a bike horn which is pretty hysterical! I had to bring Marty in the house at night and put him on a covered cat carrier which he did not mind at all he would just walk on the house and go in it! I did finally find him a farm to live at but anyway train him to come in and sleep in the house! It only takes a few days to get him in the routine and he sleeps until you uncover him! Good luck

 

[colleeflowers]

I've had to do the same thing with my crossbeak silkie roo, who was supposed to be a hen. No roos allowed in my neighborhood, so he has to wear the collar, sleeps inside the house, and is feed mashed twice a day.

He crows when I get up, I feed him and put him out with his girls. He only crows a couple of times outside, usually in the afternoon, or when he hears the garage door. I also noticed if his sleeping box is low and he can't stand at full height, he can't get a loud crow.

Our system has worked for a year. No complaints by the neighbors. And he is worth every bit of effort.

 

[Malquid]

Sorry, but I there is no humane way to keep a rooster from crowing. I personally would not use a crow collar, because I think they are cruel. I'm sure others would agree. Good luck.

This

 

[Malquid]

If you are in the Pacific Northwest and can get him to me, I’ll home him. Not sure where you are at. I’m Bellingham WA

 

[seraphine]

Since dogs can be de-barked by a vet, why has not one come up with a way to de-crow a rooster...

 

[Chinelomna]

If you are in the Pacific Northwest and can get him to me, I’ll home him. Not sure where you are at. I’m Bellingham WA

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since dogs can be de-barked by a vet, why has not one come up with a way to de-crow a rooster...

They have. From what I understand it's not very successful and surgery is more difficult on a bird, they don't do well going under, plus cost and general lack of poultry vets is a factor.