With the proliferation of urban farming, the presence of roosters in urban and suburban areas is becoming more and more common. Roosters, as you probably know, don't just crow at dawn. An average rooster crows about 12-15 times a day. It's not possible to silence a rooster's crow, but its volume can be reduced by adjusting its lifestyle, turning the coop into a dark box, or putting a collar around its neck.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Adjusting the Rooster's Lifestyle
Step 1. Learn the habit of crowing the rooster
The rooster is responsible for protecting the flock. The rooster crows to alert the flock of environmental changes and potential hazards. Observe the cock's crowing habit and note the specific stimulus that causes it to crow.
Step 2. Meet the needs of the chicken
In addition to alerting the flock to potential danger, the rooster also crows to let you know that it is running out of food and/or water. By meeting the rooster's most basic needs consistently and regularly, its need to crow will be reduced. To reduce crows at night, make sure there is enough food and water in the cage before you go to bed.
Step 3. Reduce the number of chickens you raise
Roosters crow to assert dominance over other roosters and to communicate with the flock. To avoid crowing between roosters, keep only one rooster. Reducing the number of hens will reduce the need for roosters to crow.
Step 4. Limit the rooster from exposure to stimulants at night
The crowing of a rooster at night is the most annoying thing for you and your neighbors. When roosters are left to roam at night or live in coops that are open to the outside, the rooster will be exposed to stimulants that are more likely to make it crow. Confining the rooster in a closed, dark coop all night will limit its exposure to predators and the light that will make it crow.
Method 2 of 3: Turning the Dog Cage Into a Dark Box
Step 1. Prepare the materials needed and find a suitable place
The dark box will provide a dark, stimulant-free sleeping environment for the rooster. You can find items needed to make dark boxes around the house or buy them at your local pet store. If you want to put a dark box outside, find a shady spot. If you want to put it indoors, you can use a garage or shed.
Step 2. Assemble and prepare the dog kennel
A dog kennel makes an ideal dark box because it is ventilated and the crate door can be closed easily. Assemble the cage in the designated location-following the instructions provided by the cage manufacturer. Remove the dog bedding and cover the floor of the crate with a layer of straw.
Step 3. Close the cage door
The walls of the cage can be enclosed, perforated, or barred. To effectively block out light, cover the top, back, and sides of the walls with black cloth. Purchase or cut plywood with the same dimensions as the front wall. Place the plywood at the front of the cage.
Method 3 of 3: Making or Buying Chicken Collars
Step 1. Buy or make a chicken collar
The collar will restrict airflow to the rooster's voice box which will reduce the volume of his crowing. You can buy chicken collars or make your own.
To make your own collar, you will need double-sided Velcro. Velcro width should be about 5 cm. Cut Velcro 15-20 cm long. Glue the back sides of the Velcro to each other
Step 2. Hold the rooster in your lap with both hands
Place the chicken on your lap with your head facing you. Wrap the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand around his neck. Lift the neck hair by sliding your hands up.
Step 3. Attach the collar on the back of the chicken neck
Use your dominant hand to grip the collar. Place one end of the collar behind the chicken's neck. Use your thumb around the neck of the chicken to hold the collar in place.
Position the collar at the bottom of the chicken's neck
Step 4. Wrap the collar around the neck of the chicken and glue it together
While still holding the collar with your thumbs, use your dominant hand to wrap the collar around the chicken's neck. Let the collars overlap, then glue the Velcro. Carefully line up the long side of the collar.
Step 5. Make sure the collar is not too tight
You should measure the length of the collar at the neck of the chicken snugly.
- Slide your little finger between the collar and the neck of the chicken. Your little finger should be able to slide in from the top and bottom of the collar.
- Listen to the breath of the rooster. If the chicken sounds difficult to breathe, loosen the collar. Check the chickens often.
Step 6. Allow the chicken to adjust to the collar
When the collar is first put on, the chicken may jump back and try to remove it. Help the chicken to adjust to the collar.
- For the first day, fit the collar loosely.
- As the collar tightens gradually, reward your chicken with food.
Step 7. Adjust the collar as needed
The collar may need to be adjusted. Check from time to time if the size is still right. Pay special attention to young roosters and adjust the collar as the chicks get bigger.
