He hit me!!!!

[bluemoon]

This sounds like one of my mum's tales of the war years. My Grandad joined up on the day war broke out and mum was only 15 months old, he was shipped rapidly off to Scotland for training then overseas for the next seven years, when he came home she didn't know him. Anyway, her aunt (her mum's sister) had a smallholding so Mum and Gran went to live there. Feeding the chickens was one of the many chores for the children and her cousin, who was quite a bit older, had to carry a large stick with him at all times because the cockerel would attack as soon as they went into the yard. They would beg mum's uncle to dispose of him and keep one of the younger cockerels which hatched, but he always refused. Mum says that cockerel lived throughout the whole war and terrorised her far more than any threat from Germany, she was horrified when she found out about Coco and Elvis as she thought they'd be the same.

[di]

I don't think you're a wuss at all Mo!!!
Hopefully if he can "disappear" in the next few days,you'll hopefully be left with lots of fond memories as opposed to nasty incidents.{{{x}}}

Something I've been thinking about lately...how do folks with proper nasty cockerals go about treating them for mites/lice etc???

[RichmondHens]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there Bluemoon However, this week he's threatened me once and full on attack once so, unfortunately he's going to have to go I'm away on holiday next week (sod's law!!) and Becci and a friend are chook-sitting for me. I've told them that if Basil attacks them while I'm away, they've to clout him with the broom and get out quick, then ask friend's husband to take him away. I can't tell Becci he'll end up in the freezer, she'd never forgive me We're going to collect and keep to one side all the eggs from the Bluebelles and incubate them, then when I get back, during that week, Basil will definitely be going. I wouldn't pass him on to anyone else because of his bad temper, it's not fair on them. He certainly is a beautiful lad though.

I'll still have 1 cockerel though, Rowan's growing into a smasher and he seems more laid back and sociable than Basil. I wonder if it's because Rowan's a pure breed and Basil's a hybrid?

Is Rowan a Wellie Maureen? I find they are lovely and calm. If he is then he is well worth keeping and I'm sure will be the perfect gentleman. We've not had one single aggressive Welsummer cock ever.

We did however have a horrible Buff Sussex cock once that attacked everyone and I had to go into the pen with a dustbin lid for defence on occasion.

[MaureenHall]

Something I've been thinking about lately...how do folks with proper nasty cockerals go about treating them for mites/lice etc???

I took the perches out of the coop so they all had to sleep on the floor for a night. Hemcore liberally dosed with louse powder hopefully did the trick. I was thinking about putting Diatom powder in their dustbathing areas too

Is Rowan a Wellie Maureen? I find they are lovely and calm. If he is then he is well worth keeping and I'm sure will be the perfect gentleman. We've not had one single aggressive Welsummer cock ever.

Oh yes Rowan's a Wellie. 5 months old, my very first hatched chick ever, nearly got the crowing thing sorted out but is no competition for Basil who he shares a run with (and they don't fight strangely enough). Rowan's crow is a bit deeper than Basils so not as irritating - in fact the neighbours didn't know that I had 2 boys. He's so laid back he's almost horizontal! I'm keeping him for sure, and been thinking of possible breeds I could get from him next year. How about Wellbelles? or Bluesummers? There'll be some Wellsummer babies as well though

[pigletwillie]

I must confess having witnesed Basils attack, it was a full on "banzai" version with spurs, wings and all. He drew blood twice.

It could have been worse though, it could have been me, but thankfully I was outside the pen.

[annianni]

Really sorry to hear it Mo. My friend who also raises hers had the same with Gregory Peck, and especially as she has two children under five, in the end she had no option and he ended up in the freezer

"Gregory Peck"......I love it!

Maureen - I do feel for you. We had a beast of a cockerel and tried all sorts of things. He was determined to kill my husband and used to lie in wait and ambush him when he came home. I confess, there were times when we had a good giggle as it was comical! However, the truth is when you loose confidence with a bird like that, it is very hard to get it back, so you are probably doing the right thing.
Good luck

[Snadger]

I


..................Something I've been thinking about lately...how do folks with proper nasty cockerals go about treating them for mites/lice etc???

The thing about having more than one cockerel in a pen is that if you knock one back they all stick together and come at you collectively!

Here's a piccie of me kitted up and ready to enter the run where they are!

[Alice]

Coq au Vin Maureen. Common sense says it's the only way. Shame but fact.

[di]

The thing about having more than one cockerel in a pen is that if you knock one back they all stick together and come at you collectively!

Here's a piccie of me kitted up and ready to enter the run where they are!

Our three boys at home are only just thirteen weeks & already I'm feeling I may need to boorow your suit!
Doesn't help that the only way in is to crawl headfirst!...they get let out for a play & I get shut in with the poop & dustpan & brush!
They haven't turned nasty...yet!...and their spurs aren't through,but they still have a very boyish attitude about them.
I've told Andi that if we're keeping them to the eating stage then I need a better designed run!
Once they're out of their run they're fine,and handling isn't much of an issue.Just when you try to enter their little space...it's very definately theirs!!!

[Hilary B]

The only really bolshie cockerel we ever had was a banty, and far too interested in attacking the bigger boys than bothering me! The little swine had a real go at my Buff Cochin one time, and I broke the fight up with the yard broom. Next day he was attacking the Maran. I can't say I was entirely sorry when next-door's dog grabbed him (while he was trespassing).....

[matthew2riches]

Just tell him about how you could make his neck a little bit longer that it already is and I am sure he'll stop!

Seriously though... Nip it in the bud now or you'll have a real problem on your hands. If he does it again to you, hold him to the floor on his side so he cannot move, that will show you are in control.

I've used this technique before and it works really well. I have also held them upside down by their legs for a minute or so and that ususally stops them after a while.

[Snadger]

Just tell him about how you could make his neck a little bit longer that it already is and I am sure he'll stop!

Seriously though... Nip it in the bud now or you'll have a real problem on your hands. If he does it again to you, hold him to the floor on his side so he cannot move, that will show you are in control.

I've used this technique before and it works really well. I have also held them upside down by their legs for a minute or so and that ususally stops them after a while.

The chook whisperer technique didn't work for me matthew! I did the same and the bugger jumped up and attacked me again along with his brother!