Our DIY Rooster/Night box

[Cknldy]

I do hate to be a party pooper but...uh...roosters crow during the day too. You did a grand job on your night box but as soon as the roos are out in the morning they will give a hearty crow. And they will crow when something new or different is around and sometimes they'll crow in the middle of the day just to see if they still can it seems! I do hope your project works for you- roos still need some sunlight for health or it will affect fertility rates.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I am well aware they will crow during the day, does not both me there.

What bothers me is a neighbor complaining if one crows at 5 am, or 4:30am. This way, if they crow before we let them out it hopefully won't make it to the neighbors. I leave for work normally mid morning, so I can let them out at a reasonable hour for the neighbors.

I would never just lock a rooster in a box all day to shoosh them, they go in at dusk and out at about 7:30, then they can go for it as every one else has left for the day.

 

[Cknldy]

Cool beans! I've never had to shoosh a roo but if I had to I'd definitely look up this thread again.

 

[Bens-Hens]

First night down.

I would call success, but not 100%, perhaps high 90's

We left the box up under out patio. We could not hear crowing from our room, but if we opened the glass door it was clear as day. I would doubt the noise level at the moment would reach the neighbors to upset them, we will have to wait and see how much louder it gets when the boys are full grown.

When we put them back in with the girls, just before the morning school run, so just before 8 am. There did not seem to be any issues, they didn't even rush to food or water. Just walked around like normal. I am sure I hear one of the boys say "How you dooooooin'" but I may have been mistaken.

I will update down the track once the box has more use on it, or when I get around to making permanent legs.

 

[speedy2020]

As I mention before, you could go through a dozen rooster to find a good one that does not crow much. I did have 2 very nice roosters at one time, but change to new breed Dorking and those end up in stew pot.

 

[Bens-Hens]

A bit of an update on some modifications. Been working well, but I can hear them start up at about 6:30-7 am. I have been letting them out just after 8. No complaints from neighors so far.

I thought when I had the time I would make the extra baffles.

Got a few minutes this afternoon to rat through the scrap bin and found some more stainless sheet. I bent up three little deflector shields.

Got home and removed the two outer vents, screwed and sealed these. Also removed the roof rotary vent. Being for vehicles it was too heavy to turn in a light breeze. I made a slopped deflector to cover that hole too, sealed it down.

The two outside vents I took off were moved inside to the roof. Will see in the morning if those changes knock a few crow-i-bells off. It's not very loud as it is, but it was a free modification so I got it done while I had the chance.

Each of the deflectors is open towards the ground or rear.


The old vents are matte black, the new ones are still silver. I didn't want to paint so close to bed time before the boys had to get in there.

 

[aart]

Have you tested for temps yet? As you deflect for noise you may be decreasing airflow too.

Wonder of some foam on inside surfaces of larger metal deflectors would help baffle noise while leaving more room for air?

 

[Runawaylobster]

It reminds me of one of those cruise line cabins with no porthole... LOL!!!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Have you tested for temps yet? As you deflect for noise you may be decreasing airflow too.

Wonder of some foam on inside surfaces of larger metal deflectors would help baffle noise while leaving more room for air?

No not yet. I have meant to but not yet recorded it. Certainly heat is not an issue at the moment. Middle of winter here at the moment. Airflow has always been my biggest concern. The only testing I did on it was to climb in and scream, rant and raved while my lovely wife was outside hahahaha I never felt like it was too stuffy, even after a few minutes. I checked for light entry (which was also extra air flow) and the doors let in a fair amount. They don't seal up perfectly. I think that is where there is a fair amount of sound leaking.

The wood chip flooring really made a difference in there, some foam may help absorb more sound. I just worry they little guys might decide to eat it. I might be able to try something more durable like heavy card or ply. Will see what I can scratch up.

Thanks.

It reminds me of one of those cruise line cabins with no porthole... LOL!!!

Makes me think of a blacked out club lol, without the mirror ball or music. Just quiet time.

 

[Bens-Hens]

OK, small update time.

Smudge seems to have perfected his early morning crow, and learned that if he crows long enough I feel bad and let him out before 8 am.

I let him out early and he crows early, I keep him in and there is a couple of hours of muffled crowing, then is quiet when he has lady company for about an hour.

I can't let him out earlier, so I had to perform a upgrade of the night box.

Used a old PC fan, piece of off cut mesh and a Nokia phone charger to make a guarded fan over a side vent. I made a wall from some old pool fence to reduce the size (was made for two roosters and we only have one) He now has a compartment 500mm x 500mm x 500mm. I then lined it with acoustic panel foam, was a bit costly at $55 for a sheet, barely big enough to do the job, but so far it seems to work well. I put my phone in there with the alarm blaring and could not hear it with my ear to the door.

The other compartment gets used to store the power cable and timer for the fan.