Stroppy Cockerel

[roitelet]

My Cockerel is turning stroppy I know that he is only protecting his hens but he has taken to attacking me.

He is not very big, a Cayenne, but I would prefer it not to take a run at me when I go in the run.

Any suggestions please.

[johnygreenfeet]

switch on the oven

[MadamJoJo]

Hello Roitelet,
I have no problem with my big boy, but cockerels do not respond well to males. You have to assert your authority over him - this may seem a bit mean, but you need to show him you are the ruler of the roost. Try segregating him for a day or so - he will make a huge fuss, running up and down to try to get to the girls. Another trick is when he gets amourous with one of the girls - pull him off (he will be so preoccupied he will not notice you coming),he will soon get the hint. Sorry to be a bit harsh, but it's a tough world out there!!

[Birdie Wife]

If he comes at you, the worst thing you can do is back off and run away! Get a hold of him - if you can only get his legs then pick him up upsidedown by the legs and hold him until he's calmed down (the blood will rush to his head and he'll get woosy after a few seconds). Then tuck him under your arm like a rugby ball and carry him aroaun for a bit. he has to learn you're boss, and cockerels do that by showing each other who is stronger. Hopefully this should sort him out for a while, but if he's still nasty (and particularly if there are children around) you may have to consider dispatch. I hope it doesn't come to that, but with some birds it's the only option after all others have been exhausted.

[Polly Fouracre]

I always carried a stick with me when I had Sid Viscious our Dutch bantam cockerel.Not to hit him with but to "joust" with him ,which kept him at arm,s length,though I would occasionally,if he got really nasty,lift him off his feet.
One of the whippets put paid to him though when he thought he'd fly over into the garden and chase her off!!
Alas poor Sid!

[terrier]

Are you intending to breed your own stock? If not, get rid. They're noisy and can do damage to the hens. If it attacks you, you could end up with a nasty case of blood poisoning. When we used to breed our own, we sometimes kept the cockerals at first, but soon gave up on that idea.

[roitelet]

Thanks for the advice all. I am hoping to breed this year from him this year so for the meantime will keep him penned up.

He is not really nasty just stroppy so I will try some of the things recommended. If he continues I will light the oven and get the stuffing ready