Gezsan Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Hi all A week ago, we've replaced our previous full sized hens with 3 little bantam hens and 1 silkie. There's been a bit of the usual jostling and pecking, but everything seems to have settled down into an order now. However, the one problem i have is that the dominant bantam crows every morning. As i live in a built up area, this isn't something that the neighbours will tolerate for too long! Funny thing is, she's been crowing every morning as she's the boss, but then this morning i went out and the other 2 bantams were also crowing! So it was a right racket! Anyone know how i can stop them crowing? I've read about crow collars, but not sure if they're safe? And i've thought if i leave them shut in the house until 8am it would be dark and they won't crow? Or is the crowing just a temporary thing and she'll soon get 'bored'? Don't want to have to give them away as they're fantastic except for the crowing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Our bantams crow as well, so do a few of the others. They stop when they are laying or moulting generally, but not always. I have no experience of anti-crow collars, but I think and restriction around the neck is going to make it very difficult for them to swallow food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 I have had a bantam hen who’s done the odd crow, but never as regimented as that and certainly never all of them. Are you absolutely certain they’re all female? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gezsan Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 Yeah, they're definitely all female. They came together from a farm where they had a cockerel in with them, so i guess they're just working out the new pecking order. There's definitely one who's the main crower, (about 50 times every morning!). (The others only did it a couple of times). They're still only 4 months old, so fingers crossed they stop when they come into lay. I actually tried and left them in the house of the Eglu this morning until 8am and then when i let them out, there's been no crowing. Not ideal, but if it does the trick, i might just need to follow this for a while. But not sure if keeping them trapped for a couple of hours after sunrise is good for them though? Or does it not matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 You are never sure a hen is a hen, until an egg pops out. My bantams also occasionally crow, but are often triggered by some cockerels that live on the other side of my neighbourhood. I normally distract them with some mixed grain in the pecky toy. Shuts them up pretty well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 On 9/11/2022 at 9:14 AM, Cat tails said: I normally distract them with some mixed grain in the pecky toy. Shuts them up pretty well. Be careful that you don't accidentally teach them that if they make a noise they get treats - I did that by mistake, quite frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 On 9/11/2022 at 11:12 PM, Luvachicken said: Be careful that you don't accidentally teach them that if they make a noise they get treats - I did that by mistake, quite frustrating. You’re absolutely right! Forgot to mention that I hang up the pecky toy before I go to bed. So they have something to do when they wake up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 What breeds are they? Could you post a photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
