This morning, I heard it ... one of my 16-week old "pullets" crowed

[johncampanelli]

I live in a fairly affluent suburb and have the only backyard coop within miles.

Thankfully town ordinances do not prohibit backyard poultry, IF the coop is at least 50 feet from neighbors' homes (no problem there). There's also a catch-all noise and smell ordinance that applies to all pets.

So I figured I'd get a gang of gals and we'd be fine. Eight female day-old chicks arrived in July.

Today, I heard it. A creaky but distinctive "cock a doodle do" from Buffy, my daughter's favorite bird (they are 16 weeks old). The photo below is my daughter and Buffy.

My question is: What the heck do i do?

Wait until the neighbors complain and try to bribe them with eggs when eggs come?

Be proactive and butcher Buffy?

Something else?

Thanks for the thoughts, guys!

 

[sara]

Well first you daughter is precious, and I can see why Buffy is her favorite. I'd probably just keep him and see if anyone complains.

 

[shelleyb1969]

I agree with Sara, in all regards! I have a bantam cochin pullet that tried crowing a few times...but I think she was just really confused!

Maybe Buffy is a little confused too?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

That picture is absolutely adorable!

 

[mipsy6]

My hens, who are laying so I know they are girls, do a cluck/crow thing every morning. It's not a cock-a-doodle really, but when I first heard it I worried they were boys. You might want to wait and make sure Buffy is really a rooster before you give it away.

Plus, Buffy is so cute!

 

[AllChookUp]

If that picture doesn't "sell" the idea of having chickens to ANYONE, I don't know what will.

I would be proactive and bake some treats with eggs, and give them to the neighbors before they come to you. A little goodwill.

 

[mrsengeseth]

Quote:
No kidding!! What a cutie pie!

I agree with being proactive. Make some bribery gifts for the neighbors. If someone complains though you might have no choice but to get rid of the crowing one.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I'd do the egg thing too, but since they are only 16 weeks I doubt that they are even laying. Give it a little while and make sure. I had 4 roos and my neighbors don't complain. They all like it. Well, except one and her dog is so noisy we just remind her that dogs make a lot of noise too and she shuts right up.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:

Sorry about Buffy... here is a pic of our Buffy, just after HE started crowing.

His name became Sir Buffington... Buffy for short.

 

[joyful-homemaker]

our neighbors are more bothered by our barking dogs than our roos!

At least if they are bothered, they never complain. They all buy eggs too