[blulagoo]

Ok My little boy has finally found his cockadoodle - and boy is it loud! So before the neighbours complain (which they will as they don't like us anyway) I need to know where i stand. I don't let him out until at least 0700 and you can't hear him much until he's out in the open - how do you think the council will react?

Also he is now trying to do the other boy thing - gripping the girls neck feathers and jumping on their backs - are they too young for this?! The girls range from about 16 - 23 weeks - none are laying yet - and when should I put stuff in the nesting boxes and what should I put in there?

Answers on a postcard please and the winner will recieve ... a home made chicken (eventually, when I've finished work for the summer).

THANKS!

[Porffor]

Well I just put hay in my nesting area and the girls make the nests. There are two pefect nests but they only ever lay in one of them.. not sure why but hey-ho.

As for the council, i can only tell you that my council said no cockerals allowed.. and there was a thread on here about a BBC report of a women taken to court and fined for the noise her cockerel made...

I must admit if someone was beeping their car alarm, or making some other 'low' noise in the very early hours of the morning I wouldn't be a happy bunny.

[mumsy]

Dust free straw for the nest boxes, I would put some in now, sometimes they like to practice making nests!!
Hay shouldn't be used because if eaten, it may cause a compacted crop.

Builders etc aren't allowed to start work in a built up area til 8am, may give you an indication, as for him playing piggy back rides, I'm sure someone with boys will be along soon :roll:

[blulagoo]

#Thanks - Funny you should say about builders - ours are allowed to make noise from 0700 - which is why I thought I might be safe letting them out at 0700.

My boy is a RIR cross so I think that is why he is so loud!

[blulagoo]

Have cleaned them out today and put in some straw, so will see what they make of it by tomorrow morning. How do you keep the straw cleanish - pick out the poo? Change once a week, daily?

[Jellyhead]

Welcome back Boogy where ya bin :?
Anyway, I may be wrong but I thought that the Cocks only started "doin it" when hens are coming in to lay, so eggies soon if thats right.
I would think they are ok age wise but not 100% on that either. Glad you're putting in straw cos hay isnt good for chooks, too dusty. I poo pick every day really but I have lots of chooks. I take all straw out normally once a week
XX

[blulagoo]

Thanks Jellly - what's the weather like there? Been really hot here today but is now piddling down but the birdies don't want to go in - they are so enjoying free ranging all day - just hoping that Mr Fox won't come calling during the daylight hours when I am at work! they are in their 'fox-proof' coop now though so hopefully bedtime for them soon.

What you been doing - did you ever post piccies of your birthday presents?!

[Jellyhead]

Weather here been in the 30s this week tho overcast and a little rain today....thank goodness. Not complaining tho cos like the UK weve had lots of rain.
I still have piccies to post  :oops:  :oops: but been either pet sitting or had visitors, got more friends coming tomorrow for a week. I lost my little Poland chicks but all others ok. Quite a few new additions including 3 Golden pheasant chicks getting my turkey poults in a couple of weeks hopefully. Will post piccies soon.......promise