xScrunchee Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Currently my hens are always let out of the Eglu at around 6.30am. Now that we have Kevin the cockerel we are having to put him in the shed tonight and my neighbour has requested that he not be let out until 8 am on a weekday and 10 pm Saturdays and Sundays Will it be ok to keep him locked up until 10 am and also, I imagine that even though the girls will be in the Eglu-if I let them out early-Kev will hear them and start crowing so will it be ok to keep them shut in until 8 during the week and 10 at weekends? Not what I want to do but I also need the neighbour on my side as she is happy for me to have Kev-just no crowing until her suggested times Edited August 24, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 This is the problem with a cockerel in an urban setting. I culled Anton at the weekend ( he was always destined for the table) because he started crowing, and it was so loud that there was no way that I could reasonably expect the neighbours to tolerate it in our particular situation. Check with your local authority about noise abatement and times when your neighbour could reasonably expect no noise. She won't be entitled to a Sunday lie in by law, but no doubt there will be room for some sort of compromise. You will also want to consider what would be an acceptable way to look after Kevin, and I'm not sure that it would be in his best interests to keep him boxed up till 10am. It will take some managing tbh. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Mmm, I think I may offer to comprimise and let him out at 8 weekdays and 9 weekends as I feel 10 is too late also. So-would it be best leaving the girls shut up in the Eglu until he was allowed out as if they are making a noise that might start him crowing Does anyone ever keep their hens locked up till 8 or 9?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 It's not an easy call to make Jay. Can I ask why you decided to keep a cockerel? It sounds as though you live in an urban environment, so I guess it was always on the carsd that someone would complain. The usual council times for noise regulation are that noise should be kept to a 'sociable level' betweeen 11pm and 7am. However, a resident is able to complain if they feel that the noise is excessive or constant. This forum counsels against keeping cockerels in an urban environment for those reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 The reason I have a cockerel is simply because he was getting picked on by his brother and some other boys (chickens). The lady who gave him to me (the same place as I got my girls) lives locally and informed me that there are no laws against anyone around here keeping a cockerel providing that it is not allowed to crow at an unsociable hour. I rang the council who confirmed this is the case. The school 10 minutes away from here has a great big cockeral and is surrounded by houses. There is also a cockerel living 10-15 minutes away in the opposite direction so I thought that rather than him being bullied-I would take him. Besides I like him for the entertainment value too My neighbour has no problems with me having him, she would just like him to be let out at 8 5 days a week and 10 at the weekend but I think I'm going to have to stand my ground with 9 at the latest because while he's locked up, the girls will be too and I think 9 o'clock twice a week will be better than 10. That's if he'll shut up in the darkened shed. If not-mmm, he might have to go back but it would be nice if we could work it out so that he could stay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 In my experience, a cockerel will crow as soon as he is aware of light- even a crack! So I leave mine with the 2 girls and keep them all covered ( blackout material ) until a reasonable time. For a year they were all in the eglu and it is actually easier than the cube to black out. Even so, he often crows from 730ish onwards - only occasionally is he quiet till 8 or later. But we have very good neighbours who like hearing him (so they tell me. ) But I proceed on the premise that if neighbours complain he'll be in the freezer like Anton. I don't think she has a chance of 10 at the weekend - and I'd be surprised if your shed was any more sound proof than the eglu. I hope it works out because it is good to have a cockerel, but I think you need plan b at hand should it not. Good luck! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 I have plan b ready and even plan c. lol Tonight I am putting him in the shed. I have spent most of the day making the shed as 'light proof' as possible. I will have him in a covered cat box. I will let him out at 8 am. I will let the girls out at 8 too. If that fails I am going to try to keep him awake untill around 10pm by putting him in the shed with the lights on and feeding him corn. I will them turn the lights off and hope that he sleeps for a certain number of hours before crowing. Next plan, going to try and stick polystyrene tiles up in shed. On shed ceiling, walls, door etc and putting the cat box into a large cardboard box with ventilation holes. Hoping to muffle sound if we cannot prevent it. Last plan, I read on the internet that some people bring the cockerel into the house in a dark, cool cupboard. We have a perfect under the stairs cupboard and it would be easy to seal around the door to stop light getting in. If he then just crows in the house I can try soundproofing the under the stairs cupboard. Where there's a will there's a way and I'm not one to give up easily So-I'd give myself 10/10 for trying but no idea how I'm scoring on the possible solutions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I go running most Sunday mornings along the country roads close by. I often hear a cockerel crowing. He lives 3 miles away!!!!! Theres not a chance I would risk upsetting my neighbours by keeping a cockerel even although they are really good about the hens. My friends life was a total misery when a near neighbour kept a cockerel. Tread very carefully. Sorry in advance if I have caused offence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 No offence caused You cannot even hear him from the pavement outside the house. He isn't very loud at all. That was one of the reasons that the lady suggested that it would be ok for me to take him. There are a few cockerels around here so I just want to make things as nice as possible for my neighbours cos I'm a nice girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-W Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I think that you have been very considerate to your neighbours ( Great plan! ) If there are a few cockerels around where you live I doubt anyone will mind one more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I have also read the understairs cupboard tip I have also read that a cockerel is more likely to crow if it can streatch its neck out so your low cat box may be a good call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 My cousins husband used to show chickens and their cockerels always used to go under the stairs for the night prior to a show, so they stayed nice and clean Our council has told us that cockerel noise during the day can still be deemed a nuisance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Well? How was Kev this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Silent until just after 7. He's still in the shed at the mo and is doing the odd cockle doodle doo but it is very muffled The bin men have just been by making a huge racket shouing down the street to eachother and the wood pigeons are also drowning Kev out so- so far so good. Will leave him in there till about 8 but I can't imagine he has woken anyone-bless him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-W Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Great news! Well done! Our blackout cover blew off our eglu last night Ritchie our cockerel was crowing at 6:15am He has a strange crow more like Cock-a-dooooooo!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Sounds like it's working! I would love a cockerel, but am surrounded on three sides and live on a modern housing estate (although we are moving soon, and I am only looking at houses which back on to fields and have very long gardens... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I find that my girls make enough noise when they are arguing about who gets first dibs on the nest box so I wouldn't dare have a cockerel Bertha my light sussex is huge now and compared to my babies she looks like a cockerel and she is so loud with her bok boking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I have kept 2 cockerels and have another one coming soon over the past year and have had fantastic success. We have a rabbit hutch with an wired top half and and the bottom half is split into two compartments, these both have a door and are pitch black inside. They are a perfect height for an average bantam cockerel and they NEVER crowed in here. We were even confident enough to leave the rabbit hutch along the wall that next door's bedroom backs onto (bungalow). Cockerels are fantastic and if you can keep one, do! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Thats a clever idea Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Oooo, that sounds fantastic Tom. Although I cannot quite picture it in my head. (Me being a bit dim ) Do you have, or can you get some photo's of the hutch so that I can see what you mean? I would be ever so grateful. The shed plan worked ok this morning. He didn't start crowing too early but the hutch idea sounds better than a cat box in a shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 When I move to the country estate (house with a bit of garden, ) I am getting a cockerell! haven't told DH yet, but he can sleep through anything anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Here we go, (we made it by the way!)... Sorry, but this is the only picture I have! will go out and get another later It is on the far right of the picture! Another thing I know works is using a cockerel box. This is a wooden box with a front or lid that comes off and it has ventilation holes around the outside. This box is slightly shorter than the cockerel and this prevents them from crowing. This could then be placed in the shed, coop, house, garage etc. Good Luck, cockerels are the best Tom P.S. Can't wait to pick up my one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 Excellent-thank you Tom. I agree that cockerels are the best too. So much personality and character. I love my hens but Kev just tops them on the personality side I'm afraid. Don't forget the pictures when you get your new one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 What are your other hens Jay? Pictures of them all I will don't worry! He is only 13 weeks at the mo His identity will be kept secret though Good Luck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 Got three Omlet gingernuts, 1 white Sumatra and 1 white mongrel. lol The mongrel hen (Tallulah) has a pea comb and feathers growing out of her legs, not her feet, just short feathers on her legs. Looks like she needs a shave!! Here are the newbies http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=50776&start=15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
