What Size No Crow Rooster Collar Should I get?

[Ozarkhomesteader]

It's easy to say it's cruel to put a collar on a rooster that keeps him from crowing. It's easy to say if you don't like the crowing, don't keep a roo. But that's also an oversimplification. Why are the people you are responding to resorting to the collar? What are the other solutions? Give it away/butcher? Most people who can keep roos have "enough" of them and don't want another. I would love to let my roo crow to his hearts content, however I live in a municipality where he is not allowed to exist as long as he crows. So it's "inhumane" to put a collar on him to save his life? As opposed to the other option where I do butcher him and perpetuate the overkilling of the less desirable male chicken? What of the benefit/his contribution to the flock? He protects his girls, and keeps them from picking fights with one another. It's well known that a rooster keeps the flock more stable. While yes, careless keepers may have failed to use and observe the collar's effect, it can be used effectively with little harm. I trust in my decision to limit his crowing over killing him/giving him away to be killed against his, mine, and the flock's will.

Related to that however, what are people's thoughts on decrowing procedures? Better but I have not been able to find a price for the job.

I agree...

i breed chickens and i love breeding. Right now, i am still in my parents house, and though i would love too move to a farm in the country, i can't. We are in the middle of a big city with about 2 acres, which allows me to breed, but with most roosters i have to use a crow collar (i actually have 3 boys that are really quiet and don't need one...i just go by each bird whether i need one or not). My boys are super happy and love life. They don't even notice the collar after the first week or so. I check the collars twice a day to make sure they all are looking good. I've kept over 25 roosters with crow collars, and never lost one bird to them. I love all the roosters...they are more tame than my hens, and some i just keep as pets, most of which are unwanted rescues that would be dead now if they didn't come here. They come in the house, ride on my shoulder, and ride on the dogs. sometimes they even cuddle on the bed and watch movies. Their is a major overabundance of homeless male chickens...they even are commonly released in the city, which means they usually die. I am confident in my decision to use the collars, though when i am an adult and move to the country, i will love listening to the sound of roosters crowing as much as they want

 

[countrysoul4]

Me too! I have no idea what size to get. Plus he is only 6 weeks old right now. He is a cross Welsummer and Legbar! I have no idea what size he will get.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Me too! I have no idea what size to get. Plus he is only 6 weeks old right now. He is a cross Welsummer and Legbar! I have no idea what size he will get.

Well, what i have done when I don't know the size, is just get larger that I think I need. Because, the way that the collars are made, even if it is way to big, you can just continue wrapping the Velcro around till there is no tail.