I have three chickens – a Light Sussex and two Bluebell hens – and it is great to get fresh eggs and I also get a lot of pleasure just watching them wander about my garden. I would love to have a cockerel to join them, as it would be nice to raise some young chickens. My neighbours are fine about me keeping hens, but I am not sure they would like the early morning crowing that I think I would get from having a male. Are there any cockerels that are quieter and or that do not crow as much?
Charlotte Popescu says: I have to warn you that there are no cockerels that do not crow; some of the very small breeds may not be quite as noisy but they will all create enough noise to cause problems with your neighbours.
I would suggest that you check with your local council on the by laws of keeping chickens to make sure that the area is not covered by a restriction. It is also a very good idea to check with all your neighbours before getting a cockerel just to be sure. There is a very common reaction from many people that the cockerel is not acceptable especially in a built up area due to the noise factor.
I would also like to add that if you do go ahead with your plan and have some chicks there is a very good possibility that you will get even more male birds that you will present you will the problem of disposing of these excess male birds. I would suggest that you enjoy your hens and if you want some chicks then buy some chickens that are auto sexed at a day old and then you are guaranteed to raise hens only.
