Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[jeshen]

Am getting two more gold partridge pekin girls tomorrow! The seller wanted me to have a trio of them, one of which is a cockerel, but I've said I'll just have the hens and will think about the boy.

I have young grandchildren (4, 2 and 1 year old) and do not want to risk the possibility of an aggressive bird which might frighten them. (A neighbour's cockerel - not a pekin - went for her grandchild and ended up being dispatched.) Can anyone advise on the character of pekin cockerels?

I wonder whether having a boy might help solve the pecking order rigmarole that happens between the girls!

Edited February 14, 2013 by Guest

[Redwing]

I actually find Pekin cockerels less of a problem than the feisty females

 

below is Quigley who lives with me but is owned by Lwescott. Quigley is a lovely character as are all of the other pekin males I have had, I always think if a cockerel is safe to have around chicks it can only be generally good for that breed.

 

Of course all cockerels are individuals and not all are great. A good breeder will not try to make you take the male if you really dont want it though so dont feel pressured.

 

 

 

[charly1979]

Oh my HE IS GORGEOUS !! I WANT A CUDDLE WITH HIM PLEASE

 

Sorry i hijacked the thread cant offer any advice re cockerels, our Julian at mums is still ok and isnt too aggressive but then he gets cuddled to bits but who knows what will happen in time as he is still young and only just found out that he is a boy if you know what I mean

[mimi5]

Well I had the most georgous millefleur cockerel "Monty".......he was my favourite!! He was a sweetie, so lovely with his "girls" and very tame (he had been hand reared, but was a re-home to me via a bredder @ 6 months old)!!! We used to have chats and cuddles!!! Yes, the girls are more fiesty!!!

 

I would say though be prepared for the crowing!!! Monty would start at 4.30am in the summer Thankfully my neighbours said they didn't mind!!! We all got used to it and I still miss it in the daytime (sadly lost Monty to Mareks in dec ) I have 3 of his daughters though!!!

 

Still considering having another boy as it definitely creates more harmony with the girls and adds "something" to the flock!!

[jeshen]

Thanks all - very helpful! Quigley looks adorable - love the one of him with the chick! Interesting that you say the boys are easier than the girls - not what i had imagined. Mimi, of course I remember your Mr Monty - he sounded such a great character too. It must make a difference when they're so tame! Thanks for the warning about the crowing. Do they crow when they're shut up in the eglu/cube, though?

I'm coming round to the idea that a cockerel might make a nice addition to Cluckingham Palace, although OH is muttering about us not wanting any more chicks....

Will have a look at him tomorrow and let you know what the decision is!

[surf_space]

We have a lovely black pekin cockerel and he is great! He is so calm and docile and although he isn't so willing to be picked up he will follow you around and eat out of your hand. He has never showed any signs of aggression towards us! Obviously all birds are different, but I feel a cockerel really does and that 'something' extra to a flock! Good Luck in deciding!

[LottyJ1]

Wow Quigley is so beautiful - and such great photos of him with the lamb and chick.

 

Sorry I have no experience of cockerels but have always said if we didn't have neighbours so close I would love to have one.

[miller30]

Yes they do still crow from inside their houses even if you black them out and depending on how soundproof your house is depends on how loud you will hear them i can hear my pekin boys from 100ft down the garden leanne

[Daphne]

And I hear my neighbour's pekins from 150ft up the road Luckily he sounds like a rusty gate, but cockerals are noisy and can be considered a nuisance if you have neighbours. I think its the biggest factor when considering acquiring one, despite all their good points, this can be a serious worry, or worse, it can cause conflicts.

[miller30]

And I hear my neighbour's pekins from 150ft up the road Luckily he sounds like a rusty gate, but cockerals are noisy and can be considered a nuisance if you have neighbours. I think its the biggest factor when considering acquiring one, despite all their good points, this can be a serious worry, or worse, it can cause conflicts.

 

I agree i wouldnt say its impossible though just depends what your neighbours are like i have 4 bantam boys and a turkey stag im on a residential housing estate my neighbours are fine but will have to wait and see if someone kicks off in the summer ive had all my birds for 7 years now never thought i would ever own a cockbird until 2 years ago and now i have 4 and sonny gobbling i do go out my way to make sure they are quiet 2 boys are in soundproof houses at night and i will monitor the other 2 and see what happens leanne

[charly1979]

Just to add to the crowing aparently Julian was crowing the other morning at 4am !!!! My Dad was awake reading and could hear him but we dont understand why he was doing this as it wasnt light, daft ol boy perhaps he couldnt sleep too

[miller30]

Its nothing to worry about charly1979 they do this its the time of year some can kick off at 2am as far as i know mine dont kick off until about 6.45/7am well i dont hear them my neighbour im good friends with likes to keep her bedroom window ajar and she will report back to me about any noises as she know i like to keep the neighbours happy leanne

[Redwing]

I must have at least thirty cockerels probably more

 

I love my neighbours

 

Not sure they love me quite as much though

[jeshen]

Whoops! Hadn't read the rest of your comments about crowing and have just returned from my morehens trip, having fallen in love with Mr Darcy, my new gold partridge pekin cockerel - he's a stunner - just like the original cornflakes bird! So I bought him plus one gorgeous gold partridge girl (Daphne) instead of getting the trio. (I think 5 bantams in my eglu classic is enough.) They're both shut in the classic at the moment and the other 3 are sniffing around outside very suspiciously! Introductions to follow this afternoon. Wish me luck!

Re the crowing - am also surrounded by lovely neighbours, Redwing, but if yours can cope with 30 boys, hopefully mine will cope with 1!!

Edited February 12, 2013 by Guest

[charly1979]

Oh exciting hope we get to see some pics too

[The Dogmother]

And I hear my neighbour's pekins from 150ft up the road Luckily he sounds like a rusty gate, but cockerals are noisy and can be considered a nuisance if you have neighbours. I think its the biggest factor when considering acquiring one, despite all their good points, this can be a serious worry, or worse, it can cause conflicts.

 

A neighbour who backs onto us has recently acquired a cockerel; personally I wouldn't have done this in a street of terraced (and close) Victorian houses; it's awake at 5am at the moment - slightly earlier at the moment as the snow on the ground makes it seem lighter than it is - I have already heard neighbours complaining and I don't think it will go down well in the summer I don't mind it myself but wouldn't entertain having one in my flock as I value the goodwill of my neighbours too much.

[charly1979]

All my neighbours rekon they wouldnt have minded me keeping Julian but I suspect that if I had we would be very unpopular still one day I will win the lottery and then I can move to the middle of nowhere and have all sorts of animals and chooks .......................... thats my dream

[mimi5]

Oh exciting hope we get to see some pics too

Oh yes pics please!!!!

[jeshen]

Have been trying for ages to post a couple of photos of Mr Darcy, but can't get photobucket to work any more. have tried Flickr, but still no luck...

Unfortunately it's handbags at dawn with Siân and Daphne.... They're all snowed in together today so I'm hoping the wartime spirit will sort them out!

He did crow - not too loudly - from 6am this morning! (A lovely sound that takes me back to my childhood, when we had chickens next door! OH wasn't quite so keen...) Luckily we've got a farm immediately next door, who won't be bothered. I thought I'd put a note through the door of other neighbours to let me know if it bothers them. If I get any negative vibes, we'll just have to return him. Do hope not!

Will keep trying with pics...

[Chortle Chook]

The new photobucket has been throwing a wobbly but I think that somewhere on the top right area there should be a link for you to go back to the old version. I did that and find it worked but then that was a couple of days ago.

 

I just love those pictures of Quigley, Redwing! He looks so cuddlable.

 

My Dill is now 7. I was told he was a Silkie boy but clearly all was not right in view of his bright red comb - see signature. It should be purple for a silkie. Anyawy I have recently found out he is a Pilkie (Silkie x Pekin). Now I know that when he goes I'll be getting me a Pekin cockerel . . . especially if he has Kellogs colouring, jeshen. I'm very

 

I do agree that a flock is not quite a flock without a boy and my Dill certainly sorts out the girls and makes intros so easy. As for his crow, well I sometimes wish it was a full crow rather than just a half one, but I reckon that we are in the country (well used to be before the planners and builders got here and put up 300+ houses) and a cock crow is something those who move to the country just have to get used to. My immediate neighbours love it which is lucky.

[jeshen]

 

 

Hope this works! Here's Mr Darcy, who's single-handedly sorted out a couple of warring females in 2 days!

[charly1979]

Beautiful xx

[Egghead68]

Lovely!

[jackian]

Oh my word! He is stunning ....I want one if only I had land .

[Chortle Chook]

My goodness he is beautiful! What a picture book boy! I can't believe you even had a second's hesitation