Silencing a rooster

[sayccrn]

Dark box? That sounds cruel too. I haven't heard of this, someone explain? Would he be in the dark forever or just to a certain time of day? Animals need light just like we do.

 

[Byrdj]

Take him into your own house?
Try harder to rehome him?
Eat him for dinner?
You already tried the collar and found that it was not acceptable.

Unfortunately, the options are pretty limited

I brought a couple of mine into my garage and keep in in a large dog crate. They're bantams, they have plenty of room. It was the only way I could keep them. I tried the no crow collar and they freaked out and the other chickens starting attacking them.

 

[fcecile]

Wish I could take him, i'd do it in a heartbeat but I'm in central Texas . Have you called around to no kill animal shelters? I know there is one near me that takes birds.

 

[dondi76]

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!

I was also blessed with a rooster who didn't only crow in the morning, but all night long! My poor neighbors actually said it was disturbing them and could I please do something. So...I bought a playpen at a thrift store and bring him in every night and he sleeps in the garage. When we go away, he comes along with us in a cat carrier. We have become the joke of the neighborhood, but I felt this was the best option.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

Have you thought of trying to place him at a farm animal sanctuary? I don't know of any in your area but you may want to google for some names and reach out to see if someone can take him and perhaps visit to check them out. Good luck!

Thank you, yes. Someone on this forum sent me a lead for a possible resource in a nearby town. Ironically our little roo has become very silent. Almost as if he knows he should be : ) LOL Enjoying it while it lasts. He does crow but only to communicate. I keep them fed and entertained and they're pretty good neighbors.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

Maybe you have to go outside Miami. Have you tried Craigslist?

Craigslist is always iffy down here. There are folks who practice ritual sacrifices of chicken, goats...

I did get a lead for a town to the north that may be able to help. For now things are stable. I worry more about him as he matures.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

I was also blessed with a rooster who didn't only crow in the morning, but all night long! My poor neighbors actually said it was disturbing them and could I please do something. So...I bought a playpen at a thrift store and bring him in every night and he sleeps in the garage. When we go away, he comes along with us in a cat carrier. We have become the joke of the neighborhood, but I felt this was the best option.

You know, this may be our direction. A solid structure with hurricane windows and ventilation. Those are gonna be some expensive eggs

Seriously though, he is not a big crower, yet. I think the patio light has disturbed his sense of day/night to my neighbors' benefit. He seems to crow only to communicate. Even then not a lot.

 

[Es_In_Miami]

Wish I could take him, i'd do it in a heartbeat but I'm in central Texas . Have you called around to no kill animal shelters? I know there is one near me that takes birds.

Wish I could drive him to you. He's such a sweetheart. Last night a storm moved in and the girls were all still out. He helped move all the girls in as the wind whipped around something awful. Worm reward followed : )

 

[grandbayou]

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!

With only one rooster he will become aggressive anyway and will fight with you

 

[MiriCameron]

He's a pet, let him live inside with you and take him out for fresh air and sunshine. They even make chicken harnesses, you could walk him if you wanted. I had a hen that was very ill when I got her. I had to force feed her for a week and then she had to be quarantined for a month. And then we rescued another, which also had to be quarantined. They roomed in a big dog crate and were let out daily. It can be done.