Help! I live in Alaska and our neighbor (a Catholic priest) has started raising chickens and also a rooster. We're having extra long days right now and the rooster crows in the morning hours any time from 2:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. We are getting LITTLE sleep.

I have not desire to see the rooster become anyone's dinner. I'm wondering if covering the cage at night would help???

jamesann@hotmail.com

Those of us who love the crow of the rooster (or many roosters at one time) have a hard time understanding why it would keep anyone awake (but know it does). I have 20 Bantam roosters right outside my bedroom window. My neighbor has several large roosters--I hear them during the day, but not early morning. I am asleep at that time! I never hear my own and they really do a chorus. It is because I consider them as part of the scene, same as the pheasant, wild turkeys, dawn chorus of the songbirds (4am), tractors, cars and trucks going by. I never hear any of them unless I would set an alarm and try to stay awake for it! Ear plugs? Leave your radio on right beside your bed? And yes, covering the cage may help (total darkness), but he may crow at sounds that disturb him, even in darkness, but not so continuously. Good luck and try to enjoy it as a "sound of one of natures creatures"-- if possible?? CJR

Covering the cage might help, or locking him in the coop, depending on their setup.

However, I will tell you that my neighbor casually complained about my rooster when I first got him. He was telling me that he doesn't wait for sunrise and crows at 4:30 AM and his wife was ready to make soup (he was laughing, not completely serious). So I told him "Hmmm...that's odd, we don't hear him at all!" And I waited to see if another complaint came my way b/c if so then we would have figured out a way to control it. However, just the other day the neighbor asked if we still had the rooster b/c he never hears him crow anymore! Ha! Yes, we still have him, but given a little time, everybody sleeps through the rooster crowing. Maybe you'll adjust. Took my neighbors just a couple of weeks. I understand your long days, but not too dissimilar from the fact that our rooster crows when we turn on lights in the house and about 3-4 days a week, that is at 4:00 in the morning.

Susie

Hi Alaska! About your crowing problem, I actually read in Dear Abbey (or Ann Landers)that a rooster can not crow unless he's standing up! From watching my own boys, they do seem to get up on tip toe and stretch their necks and really belt the crows out. According to the column, if the roo is put into a box that he can't stand up in, he can't crow. Maybe you could see if your neighbor could put their guy in a cat or dog carrier that he is comfortable in, but can't fully extend his back and neck and see if it works. And if you try it and it does work, could you post it here? Would really like to know if this idea works. Good Luck (and God bless!) ;^}

I know personally that if a rooster can not stand up, he won't crow. I know people who put roosters in small crates and boxes when they transfer roosters or whatever.

I love roosters. I think they're so pretty and really add color and personality to a flock. BUT, I cannot stand their crowing. I've tried. I really have. But my husband and I both could not live with it. We found a new home for our roo.
My direct neighbors don't have chickens but others in my neighborhood do. I worry that my next door neighbors will get chickens one day and one (or more!) will be a rooster. I don't know what I'd do!!