sarabb4 Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Hello all Just a vague pondering at the moment- but haven't seen much conversation about this so would appreciate your thoughts/experiences please. Have kept chickens for around 9 years. Have never had a cockerel. We moved house last year and now have an improved space for chickens and more space generally. I find myself hankering after a cockerel!!! I don't really know why?!! We currently have 6 bantams- 2 pekins 1 pekin cross and 3 other bantams. They live in a cube and have a substantial strip of ground which they fr in although that is enclosed.. Things I'd like to know: How noisy are they really?!(I know that's a length of string question!) But, for example - are some breeds quieter than others.. I have been advised pekins are quieter? Do they cause more problems in a flock? I would hope to get one from someone who could tell me a bit about the temperament- or wd I be better getting a real youngster? What the plusses? Just occasionally my ladies have to be confined to the cube run- wd that be a problem with cockerel? Love to hear your feelings! X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 I have a bantam wyandotte cockerel with my pekins and hybrids. Temperament wise he is a sweetie. He looks after his ladies very well and really adds something to the flock Noise wise is another matter. He is very loud, very repetitive, and very unpredictable. Hasn't a clue what time it is, and doesn't care. Neighbour goes to the bathroom at 2am? Jolly good, time for a cockadoodle doo. Milk lady comes at 4am, summer or winter - yay, she is greeted with another round of doodles. My neighbours hate me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Ah a boy in the flock.....does add something I had the most delightful and charming pekin bantam cockerel - Mr Monty a re-home to me at 6 months old. SO handsome and a true gent in taking care of his ladies I got him as my girls were always s"Ooops, word censored!"ping over who was the boss!! Monty got them sorted and I thoroughly enjoyed having him Shhh don't tell the girls, he was my favourite! Noise wise he had a lovely doodle and my neighbours all said they liked him doddling He was early to start in the summer and sometimes would do up to 12 in a row But I miss him and his doodles, sadly he died almost exactly a year ago of suspected Mareks (had to be PTS ) Lucky for me I have 3 of his daughters to remind me of him, wish I hadn't re-homed all his sons I'd hatched....but don't have room for 2 boys I did try early on this year with another boy, but sadly he died of a mystery illness and I have decide not to add to my flock. Mr Morris was also sweet....but not as nice a doodle I guess like with most animals/pets they all have their own personality Pics please if you do decide to get a boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) I've currently got a Mr Fidget (Barbu d'Anvers) he's incredibly handsome sporting black beetle green sheened feathers. He's getting a bit naughty attacking me when I go to change their water and food and he flew up on my head the other day when he was out in the garden. His doodling can start at 4am and can be up to 15 long . I've decided that he's getting disturbed by the dreadful Simon cat who has a bell on his collar creeping about, the fox or the neighbour or me getting up for work. He's not that loud, tad shrill though, can hear him up to 100 feet away. Jury's still out on his staying. (Thought I'd better add that his type is prone to the attacking thing and the books don't recommend keeping them with small children, i can now see why. Still adore him and he's fine when having a squish.) Edited December 17, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I have two boys, both of them we hatched, one is Tumble who hatched very early day 17 and is lovely but not quite right, he doesn't doodle at all now he used to make an attempt that sounded like he had a very sore throat but he has stopped even that now. The other one is Monsieur Noir is a mini black silkie, Tumble is a white one. M Noir has two lady friends, he does doodle at various times including early in the morning but we live in the country and there have been other doodles in the village in the past. If you are going to worry about the noise then think very carefully otherwise I would go for one. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I love my cockerels. We have a Welsummer, Mr Darcy, who is a lovely well mannered chap, and Matthew a Cream Legbar who's a bit of a wally. In the summer the noise started about 5am, then they shut up until about 10ish (treat time) and then between 3-4pm. We are quite rural so our neighbours aren't really disturbed. For the last couple of months, since the girls have stopped laying, we haven't heard a peep out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I think it depends on your neighbour situation.I would love one like Tumble.I don't think my neighbours would tolerate the noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I got Percy proudfoot this year. He is a wheaten Pekin bantam and gorgeous. He isnt very loud and doesnt crow that much. He never quite manages a full cock a doodle doo - only a cock a doodle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarabb4 Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 Ah -thank you for your lovely replies.. I think I want a cockerel even more now! We have a detached house and the garden is circular all the way around the house, with the front and back being smaller than the sides... Our nearest neighbour is about 150foot from where the chickens live. Neighbour one side is very deaf, neighbour the other side has said the would like us to get a cockerel as they "like the sound"... The neighbour who is furthest away, I suspect may be grumpy-- but perhaps they wouldn't hear? As I said I would try and rehome a gentleman who' previous owner could give me an honest assessment of his doodling and temperament.. Almost certainly pekin I think.. Oooo - lots to think about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Where are you in the country? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 I bet your miles away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 A polite general reminder that re homing via the forum is not permitted. Please conduct any discussion regarding possible arrangements off the forum. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Profuse appologies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 We have neighbours on three sides, one is about 10 ft away from the chickens. I have a barbu d uccle bantam cockerel called Inch , he is lovely and looks after his girls really well its lovely to hear him calling them over when he finds something tasty to eat . He can be quite aggressive with me and will stalk me round the chicken area. He is very quiet and doesn't start cock a doodling until I let them out in the morning and has never woken me up even in the summer. The neighbours are quite hpapy with him apart from one but then she is a serial complainer anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I live in an end of terrace Victorian house that borders on a new build estate but I still LURVE my slikie x cockerel and wouldn't be without him. He is such a gent with his girls and has always made intros so easy. I just introduce any new girlies to him and then he really sweetly sits on the perch between the newbie and the others Diputes are then not allowed As for noise, touch wood "Ooops, word censored!"ody has commented. I think because they are all being just too 'English' to comment or perhaps they are too busy arguing amongst themselves, or it could be that "Ooops, word censored!"ody can believe that someone with 4 dogs also has chooks I have however noticed that some cockerels have much nicer crows than my boy. He never gets to the 'doodle doo' and now he is old his crow is a sort of strangled squawk When he does finally go to join some girlies in the big chicken coop in the sky, I'll get another but I'll go to a show where I can see and hear a few that are for sale, and pick one that does the full thing . . . not too loudly . . . and looks beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I love my cockerels and cock birds. I think I have more males here than females so probably around twenty I do go out of my way to house them appropriately though as I appreciate that they arent for everyone! Thank goodness the neighbours are all very good about them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarabb4 Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 It's great hearing all your experiences! I think I really might go for it! One other question- is a cockerel likely to be more "jumpy" than hens? Mine, when out of pen, are enclosed by a 6 foot fence one side and omlet netting the other.. Very occasionally one will pop out over the netting, but it's rare- and none of them have ever attempted the fence(thankfully as it borders the-possibly-grumpy neighbour).. Roll on spring and a possible male new inhabitant!! (felt a bit sorry for the poor chooks today in the vile weather!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Both my cockerels have been less flighty than the hens because they like to stay with their flock. I guess if the girls went over, they would follow. Another factor is that they are usually heavier than the hens so less adept at flying. Remember that a fox can easily get over a 6ft fence and through Omlet netting (unless electrified). A cockerel's crow could be the additional signal they need that hens are about.... The most important thing to check is the attitude of the neighbours and how likely they are to complain to Environmental Health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 The most important thing to check is the attitude of the neighbours and how likely they are to complain to Environmental Health. I agree Take a look at this thread http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=73726 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MillyJude Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 Thats a brilliant thread, have just had a lovely time reading it, I now realise how lucky we are to live in the country where we are already surrounded by cockerel noises from all directions, so i doubt anyone will complain about Reggie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Have you made your decision, sarabb4 ? Will you be getting one and if so what breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Have a few questions re a cockerel. If and it is an if I get one in the future...I have a largish garden and two small dogs who are fine with the chooks, would a cockerel be liable to attack them? I have quite a few ppl who request eggs, so would fertilised eggs be a problem? Would I end up with a ton more broodies hogging all the nestboxes in summer (had three last year)? I was prepared for one or two of my Brahma chooks Turning out to be a boy but now looks to be all girls. Would have kept them anyway as could not part with a pet. This is just in case one accidentally appears?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarabb4 Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Hello again all. Thanks for everyone's input! I think I have basically decided that yes I will get a cockerel! But! We have 2 cats, 6 hens, 3 children including a baby and a "project" house, with a garden requiring ALOT of maintenance.. And we are broke! Before getting a Roo, I want to extend our cube run and add on the fruit cage whic I currently have acting as a WIR.. So until I've worked out a way of affording that!!...it will be very late spring at least... But then I may go all impulsive... You never know!! Will post pics if I do indulge!xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 sarabb4 - a cockerel would be very cheap so should not harm the finances Redsunset - Lucky you that all three of your wee eagles are girls To answer your questions: would a cockerel be liable to attack them [dogs / children]? Some breeds of cockerel are more agressive than others. I believe, but could be wrong, that bantam cockerels are feistier then big ones. On the other hand, my silkie x pekin boy is an angel and never attacks my dogs. He did however once fly up at a rather nasty visiting little boy who kept throwing handfuls of gravel at his wives I have quite a few ppl who request eggs, so would fertilised eggs be a problem? No because the embryo does not start to develop at all until the egg is incubated (sat on) by the hen. Sometimes people think the wee red dot on a yolk is the firtilised egg but that is not the case. It is normally a wee drop from a burst blood vessel and can appear whether you have a cockerel or not Would I end up with a ton more broodies hogging all the nestboxes in summer (had three last year)?I have not found my chickens to be any more broody with my cockerel about. My sikies still sit as if their lives depend upon it (which take it from me is not the case ) and my Polands never sit at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thank you Shabby Chic. That was a good comprehensive reply. I would have to think about my little dogs as if a cockerel did attack them, they in turn may then turn on the chooks. Not to mention it could really hurt them. Think I will stick to my little ladies for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
