Someone on Freecycle has offered me a cockerel - I am right aren't I - I really don't want one

[KatyMac]

It sounds lovely 'Perkin Lavender' DD will name it if I even mention to her it has been offered

But the risk of noise & baby chicks are too great aren't they

& if we have chicks - DH will want to eat them

I can't cope with that much 'country'

[daisydotandgertie]

Does it really say Perkin Lavender or is it a typo? I'm sure they mean Lavender Pekin instead.

If they have the breed name wrong I'd be a bit worried about the quality of the bird IYSWIM. I'd be sure to quarantine it for 14 days if I did accept it, just in case he brings new disease to your flock.

You can manage the chick thing by making sure you collect eggs daily - they'll only turn into chicks if a hen gets to keep them warm for 21/22 days.

We have a cockerel called Dave and he is noisy - that's just what they do. I certainly wouldn't consider having a cockerel if I had neighbours.

But, on the up side, he is gorgeous and looks after his ladies so very well. And I can incubate some eggs and make chicks if I fancy!

ps. pekin lavenders are v, v pretty

[KatyMac]

No they spelt it right "Pekin Lavender"

I live on a council estate so lots of neighbours

I couldn't cope with chicks - DH would assume they were for eating

I have one bantam cross & I want two more

But I am struggling - I was promised one & then the foxed killed the whole flock, I was promised another from someone & it fell over & died

But my poor hen must be lonely

[laundrygoblin]

Don't take it.
The cockerel will mate only with your hen and she might just become miserable. Hens do not need cockerels and often do better without them.

[stealthsquiggle]

No you don't - noisy and potentially a bit agressive - and unproductive!

(mind you, farmer next door has a cockerel who is not a morning person - he crows at about 9:30am )

[hobbgoblin]

My cockerel was not safe with the DC, they can seriously injure.

[hobbgoblin]

My cockerel was not safe with the DC, they can seriously injure.

[LauriefairycakeeatsCupid]

you are probably not allowed a cockerel anyway, we live in a town centre and we certainly aren't - they would crow at 4 am in the summer !!

Call your council and I bet they say you're not allowed - chicken yes, cocks, no.

[mehgalegs]

You would only get chicks if you didin't collect the eggs every day and had a broody hen.

I have twoo and they are very noisy from 3am onwards in the summer.

I didn't think you could give livestock/pets away on freecycel.

[KatyMac]

Well I am doing a wanted on Cheapcycle actually

I am quite prepared to pay for them but I am struggling to find some

[daisydotandgertie]

Katy

There are lots of breeders in Norfolk - have a look at this link

chooks

[daisydotandgertie]

And you're right. Your hen must be very lonely. I'd sort it as soon as I could! Good luck.

[KatyMac]

this one is quite close

But it's still a fair drive away

[DaisyMooSteiner]

Put your hens on the pill and buy your neighbours some earplugs.

[Blottedcopybook]

Pekins are actually fairly quiet crowers, I'd check him out before you make a definite decision and I'd make sure you hear him crow first too. Pekins are really tiny, smaller than most bantam size.

[ABetaDad]

I am not sure a cockerel is a good thing to have with one hen. He needs a flock of hens surely?

He might taste OK though. Its a free meal after all and in these difficult recessionary times a free meal is a free meal.

[KatyMac]

I couldn't eat him

Never mind - I said no already