Over cocky cockerel

[Gorsty]

Hi folks

Its ages since I've had to ask for advice re cluckie matters but my young cockerel Joe is starting to bother me a bit.

He is now 7 months old and very handsome BUT in the last couple of weeks he's attacked my legs several times - feet first! Not too bothered at the moment as it is low level but worried that it may end up being head height - am only 5ft tall.

What will deter him?

Have tried to be nice but he pecks the hand that feeds him Have chased him around the garden a few times - just hope nobody is taking a video - they will think be bonkers. Have also told him that he'll make a lovely Christmas dinner if he's not careful.

Have a friend who has Joe's brother - he reckons I should pick him up and pet him!!

What do you think? How should you treat a cockerel?

[petal]

yep, cuddle him and dominate him..or stick him in a pot - seriously! When he grows spurs it gets nasty and they don't all attack humans!

[Nicos]

We pet ours..and give them treats ( blackmail I suppose!!)
It's easier to start at night time when they've calmed down a bit!

I make a point of not 'worrying 'the girls so the boys don't feel the need to protect them
Occasionally the more dominant of my two will peck at me- especially if I tentatively offer him my hand- just need to be firm so they have no chance to object.
If he does his side stepping thing at me ...I do the same- and look down at him, doing a bit more noisy stamping.
Seems to work for me- but my guys have never really been too aggressive.
Good luck with yours!

[Brengirl]

and we wonder why there are punch ups outside nightclubs

[Gorsty]

Thanks for your replies.

I've had all 4 of them from fluffy chicks so you'd think he would be OK with me - he used to come for treats from my hand but then started to be more aloof. He won't come to me for treats anymore.

The girls are still very friendly and as soon as they see me - come charging up to me begging for treats. I think that is usually when he gets a strop on as he can't keep up with them - perhaps it's cos he's not in control.

Today he is being very respectful/cautious in my presence - won't let me near him -yesterday he got chased around the garden!

Don't want him to end up in the oven but we have young grandchildren to consider. Will see if I can sort him out

[Eco-Chic]

Cue a tv programme called the Chook Whisperer

I wish you luck. My ladies can be a tad spiteful at times. I really wouldn't like to wrangle with a testosterone fuelled cockerel

[RichmondHens]

The trick is for you to be top chook. You have to make him respect you. Try using a water pistol on him each time he makes an aggressive move. Shoot him full in the head if necessary. They hate that. I can't promise it will work, as aggression is often linked to the breed (you don't say what he is), and some are just plain belligerent. But it's worth a try. (and keep shouting sage and onion stuffing at him!!)

[Nicos]

Maybe you should put red wine in the water pistol...then if all else fails he'll be ready marinaded!!!!

[moola]

I have had a mix of cockerels. Most hand reared. Even these have turned - esp around the Spring or at 6 mths when they get to be all full of themselves. I have HAD to deal with all problems as we have a small chicken mad little boy - and I can't take any chance. Some, have been plain obsessed about the ladies and been aggressive when we tried to go near the girls. Others, have just been territorial - from first light, they want to stamp their authority. Others, have been beautifully calm. I would try an pick your boy up (maybe start at night, when they are calmer). Then I would try later on in the day (never first thing - they are always a bit jolly at this point). If this softly softly approach doesn't work, I would then try and pin him down and hold him. If he keeps coming at you with beak and claws I would be tempted to despatch unless he is breeding material. They are so many good cockerels that need homing, keeping a troublesome one - unless he is A1 breed standard - is a bit unnecessary.
If you want to rear him for meat - then 20 wks would be about standard.

[Eco-Chic]

Maybe you should put red wine in the water pistol...then if all else fails he'll be ready marinaded!!!!

Bad Nicos! Norty step

[Nicos]

Bad Nicos! Norty step

NNoooooo...I'm only trying to be helpful!!!!

[Nicos]

Actually- this thread has got me thinking..... ( hold onto yr hats folks!!!!.....)

Are some individual cocks bad tempered as part of their breeding/ inbreeding?

As with pedigree bunnies ( I used to breed them) if you had a choice between 2 males to choose from for breeding you ought to go for the milder tempered one -even if it's not got a fine a features as you'd prefer -so as not to end up breeding a psycho bunny.

So if you're wanting chicks Gorsty- and he doesn't calm down to a safe level-see him off and get in a rescue cock- it seems there are a few peeps on here with a few up for rehoming!

Yup- as you say moola- there are plenty of well natured cocks in need of a good home.

[MaureenHall]

I agree with you there Nicos. Some people breed birds for showing and pick out the ones with the desirable points, so it stands to reason (in my head anyway) that temperament is also a "desirable" point? No point in passing the aggro on to the next generation

[petal]

I think Nicos is right- apparently certain breeds are more feisty than others. our light sussex cockeral is a real gent yet the welsummer cockeral at the stables is a demon.

[di]

I would agree that maybe it's a breed thing.Boo was hatched at home,spent his first couple of days on his own,with just human company & thrived on it & WAS really tame for the first few weeks.However,he started to show his true colours at about 6-8 weeks old.He's still never gone for me but has Andi & no longer likes being handled.
You couldn't handle a chick more than Boo got handled yet sadly his genes seem to be stronger than our "taming" methods.He's a Maran/Norfolk Grey cross & from what I've read about both breeds they can have the tendency to be "cocky".