Turning Chickens into Lap Pets?

[cupcakethechicken]

picture of Cupcake !

 

[K0k0shka]

This is awesome! does anyone have any experience with cockerels being lap pets/house pets? Trying to find some feedback for what to do with my newly-discovered accidental cockerel who is the favorite chicken of the children! He is an Ameraucana (vs. possible Easter Egger) about 9 weeks old and newly crowing. I’ve had a hard time figuring out exactly where on the neck do I put the no crow collar, and then also how long can I safely leave it on? once I put it on and find that it helps reduce the crowing, is it something I can leave on for days or does it need to come off every night? I would like to be able to let him outside during the day for his fun time, but I can't have him crowing. I have held and pet him since getting him at 1 week old. Who else has a house cockerel/lap cockerel? Any advice? I know there are lots of people trying to give roosters away and many would love a free dinner. I am sad and don't want to explain to my young nephew that I have to get rid of the cockerel just because he is a boy. do I expect the cockerel to turn into a big mean rooster or do any of you guys have luck having a tame rooster as a family pet in an urban area? Many thanks!

Is he your only chicken? Or do you have pullets as well? Cockerels are sweet and friendly when young and can make great lap chickens (see my post above with the video). However, when their hormones hit, they change and can quickly turn on you if they have females to protect. They can get really mean, and by mean I mean perfectly normal for what they were meant to do - protect their flock. If he’s your only chicken and has no hens to protect, you might get away with a nice solo rooster, but otherwise, prepare for drama and heartbreak.

 

[cupcakethechicken]

Thank you for your reply! I have two older pullets a wyandotte and australorp, they are about 4 weeks older and they pick on him. He is terrified of the girls so I keep him separated. There are four babies that I had shipped from my pet chicken (their olive egger and blue easter eggers) that I hope are all pullets, but they are too small so I keep them separated. right now mr. cupcake stays in a dog crate with roosting bar and water and food in the house during the night and he goes outside sometimes with the big girls (which he does not like because they are mean to him). It is possible to keep him solo too. He's the only chicken allowed inside the house and he is super sweet and friendly (for now , I guess!)