Ways to stop a rooster from crowing?

[dave27889]

First thing. I know it is their job to crow and strutt. I just don't want to tick off the neighbours. I am trying to get a start on hatching eggs. I have raised poultry such as ducks, RIR Hens and Tom Turkeys. I have never had a rooster but intend to have three different types. I had one neighbour that had a bantam rooster but he died and so did the owner. We could hear the rooster in the early morning but that was it. My problem is that the old neighbour lived on the other side of the farm and I live near two other families. The other people are really nice and one of them is a cousin of mine. All of us get up around 6:00am except on Saturdays.
The other thing is does the breed of rooster make a difference? I raised dogs as a hobby and I know that different breeds of dogs behave differently. My Chow Chows were very quite unless someone came around. My German Shepherds barked all the time and my Huskies howled like crazy at all times of the day and night. They just wanted to run and play Huskies are crazy but lovable.
I would like to raise Black Copper Marans, RIR's and either Barred Rocks or White Rocks. I want to raise pure Marans, pure RIR's and red sex links. I raised several of these types before but with no roosters. I really would like to have hatching eggs. I know that I am going to have a black copper marans rooster. My neighbours I know would allow that.
Please if you can help give me a response. I know dogs have muzzles. Can you put a muzzle on a rooster? I am going to start my small operation up some time around March. I am just getting over a back operation and have stock and eggs coming around the first of March and all during April. My neighbours know what I am going to do and just ask that I keep things clean and that I give a few eggs and that they get my chicken and pastry every now and again. Thanks for the help Dave27889 in Washington, NC 27889 Email me at woolarddavid@yahoo.com or leave me a message here.

[Pathfinders]

Dave,

Listen, there's no way to stop roosters from crowing. They do it at any time of day, and some even at night. If you're going to raise poultry, you have to have cock birds, and cock birds crow.

Some folks get around the noise by offering free eggs to the neighbors. After a while you really don't hear it. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors you should be fine. Be sure to check your zoning laws.

There's no such thing as a muzzle for a cock bird. They crow, and we live with it.

[littlebit6657]

The only way I know to stop a rooster from crowing is to remove the part that crows.

[Evy]

Turn the head until it clicks !

Seriously, if you have more than one, it'll be a contest that'll really be a problem...not to mention the fighting that likely will occur.

[dave27889]

I will have them in different runs because as I said I want pure stock except for the sex links. I know how and when they crow I was raised with farmers. I just wondered if there something new on the market such as a muzzle or something. I have already talked with the neighbours as I said. They are fine with it but it has ben a year since the last rooster in the neighbourhood died.
Thanks for the comments though. Any thoughts are good ones.

[greg rountree]

The older a rooster is -- the frequency of crowing will decrease. 1 to 2 year olds do the most crowing because they are full of hormones, and have more to announce to the world that they are there--and Cock of the Walk!!! I can't imagine neighbors complaining about a rooster crowing unless you live in a suburb where houses are close together with only postage stamp lawns or unless you have lots of roosters that are constantly crowing--do your neighbors have zero noise?--probably not! don't their dogs bark? :P Greg

[dave27889]

Thanks Greg. I don't think they will mind. There is only one dog in the area and he stays locked up for the most part. Do you know how long a rooster is good for staying with the hens and getting the work done? That might be a question to put out. Does anyone know how long a rooster is productive? Thanks, Dave

[greg rountree]

Dave, in my lifelong experience with the Birds it seems to be 'indivigual' some Cocks go bust after about 4 years and others maintain fertility throughout their lifespan. i have a 10 year old O.E.Game Bantam rooster that fathered chicks last spring and summer; and I am counting on him to do the same this upcoming spring. You just have to see how they do--each year and proceed accordingly--Good Luck with your endeavors--Greg

[tony giunta]

HI THERE, i live in the city [a big one !!!] there is a way and i persued it !! NEVER AGAIN ! ! ! ,it `s done by a vet and a cut has to be made in their larynx i believe it was , i still have a wh/crested black polish cock for about 6 years and his crow is very short and weak ,and it was done on a pheonix and worked well ,they seem to fair very well, but after having it done i question was it fair !! ? !!,now i have 2 older roosters in a building and that can really muffle the crow and let them out late morning ,that`s a chore that gets old ,but if their tame go out get em and to bed they go !,if they can`t see each other that may cut down the midday crows,but morning is the time to shine period !!

[dave27889]

I thought there was a surgicial way to stop them from crowing. I did not really want to go that route. I did think that there was a way to stop them though. I think the only way I would do the surgery is if it was a really great rooster. Thanks for the help.

[jmc]

The older a rooster is -- the frequency of crowing will decrease. 1 to 2 year olds do the most crowing because they are full of hormones, and have more to announce to the world that they are there--and Cock of the Walk!!! I can't imagine neighbors complaining about a rooster crowing unless you live in a suburb where houses are close together with only postage stamp lawns or unless you have lots of roosters that are constantly crowing--do your neighbors have zero noise?--probably not! don't their dogs bark? :P Greg

People who allow roosters to crow all day, even though those people know it bothers the neighbors, are very inconsiderate. I don't have dogs or other animals. I come home from 9-10 hours of stress on the job, expecting to have some peace and quiet. All I hear are roosters crowing. No, you don't "get used" to it, and you shouldn't have to be continuously tortured by sadistic neighbors, who do not think of anyone but themselves.

[realsis]

Sadly I can't think of a way to stop crowing. I would love to have a rooster but sadly I can not because you really never know who's going to feel like the guy who posted above Mr. My neighbor to my right said hed love to hear a rooster, yet other neighbors probably won't feel that way and likely call on me if i had one. Bottom line is be careful, you never know who is going to get really upset with a rooster. Sadly... so i just keep my hens because I'm sure someone would complain...... you might want to double check with ALL your neighboors even the ones you don't know. Its better safe then sorry. Some people get really angry about it! Just make sure you have talked to everyone. I do wish you the best!! I do wish i could have a rooster its just i really don't think my neighbors would like it so i stick with my hens. Good luck to you!