We get asked on a regular basis if we can rehome cockerels; many people don't realise they have a boy until he starts crowing! And for many people in residential areas, keeping a cockerel just isn't practical or in some cases, even legal.

Cockerels are stunning birds and a pleasure to have around yet too many in one space can lead to problems. The ideal ratio of males to females in a flock seems to vary wildly but generally if you have at least a trio of hens you can have a cockerel.

The requirements for keeping cockerels are the same as for hens: they will need a good sized area with access to some greenery to roam around throughout the day time and a secure coop for the night and in bad weather.

However, you must ensure that you can legally keep cockerels and you should contact your local council to confirm if there are any restrictions.

You should also be aware that most cockerels will make noise and because of this, cockerels are most suited to rural areas.

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