Dealing with Aggressive Cockerels

[walldanzig]

ha ha mine also gets a boot up the arse. When he's not attacking he just sort of hangs around in a suspicious manner always letting you know he's there. The biggest pain are the chickens the ability to walk from the fence to the food bin in a straight line has been lost they just get under foot all the time

[RichmondHens]

OWG - I assume you have left the older boy behind, so the youngsters are now sorting out the new pecking order. Just wade in there (wearing boots and thick trousers) and don't show fear. Stand your ground. Try just standing there for a while feeding them a little corn and eventually they should calm down. As they have just been moved they are just sorting themselves out in the "new" territory. If they continue to be actively aggressive you can give them a squirt with a water pistol to put them off, but don't actually hurt them back, it will only make them attack more. I have been picking up my aggressive young Indian Game regularly and he is much better now, although he did take hold of my dressing gown this morning and play tug of war!

[Snadger]

Cockerels are supposed to be aggressive and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Why would anyone want a woosie cockerel!

What I have found is that if they are brought up with one another they quickly establish a pecking order and rarely squabble. If you then enter the pen and try to shoosh away one of them, they will all pile in protecting each other.
This can make life rather interesting if you have three, fully grown,fully spurred individuals together.
I have rigged a system up so that I can feed and water the cock pen from OUTSIDE the run, which makes life a little less fraught!

I have five full grown cockerels now with Sid(vicious) being the ringleader. He will fight to the death to protect his laydees......and thats just the way I like it.

[RichmondHens]

Sure, but if you need someone else to do the birds while you are away, what happens then? We had a very aggressive Buff Sussex cock once who attacked my neighbour while we were on holiday, and after that she did not want to come and do the chooks any more, it quite put her off.

[walldanzig]

Im with Snadger on this one I like the fact he will have a go every now and again its a case of good for you now have this. I don't hurt him but he knows he made a mistake. I've had him a while now so I may even give him a name

[Snadger]

Sure, but if you need someone else to do the birds while you are away, what happens then? We had a very aggressive Buff Sussex cock once who attacked my neighbour while we were on holiday, and after that she did not want to come and do the chooks any more, it quite put her off.

You're right of course and children would need to be supervised.

My uncle had a small holding when I was a bairn and I used to sit on the roof of the garage with a pea shooter, aggravating the rooster. A reet little git I was, but it did foster a healthy respect for cockerels especially when I climbed off the roof one time thinking he wasn't around and he sneaked up on me!

[Scarlet]

We had an agressive cockeral several years ago. One of my young lads had picked him out as his before we even realised that he was a boy, he hand fed him, picked up lots etc - come mating season he turned evil. He would draw blood, cause bruises etc and my little one was so upset when we had to ban him from the pen. We tried everything, holding down on the floor, under the arm, water and the boot, when he started flying towards the face he had to 'go'. My little one was devastated

[Scarlet]

You're right of course and children would need to be supervised.

My uncle had a small holding when I was a bairn and I used to sit on the roof of the garage with a pea shooter, aggravating the rooster. A reet little git I was, but it did foster a healthy respect for cockerels especially when I climbed off the roof one time thinking he wasn't around and he sneaked up on me!

Ah! Brilliant you got what you deserved!! Did you learn?

[mr darcy]

I always despatch aggressive roosters. my dad says their nasty nature passes on to their young. Funnily enough, my roosters are VERY wary of me. I wonder why...?!

: yes, i can see why too!!!

even mr sox is a bit more foward these last few days!!

[Glutton4...]

One of my 'babies' went for me t'other day - cocky little wotsit!

[OverWyreGrower]

Mine haven't been too bad the last couple of days... I've been very conspicously bringing them nice treats in a morning, so the first thing they see is me leaving them food and a half-handful of corn...

I'm hoping it was just the stress of moving into a new pen and establishing a pecking order, as I really CBA fighting them off every day!!

[Snadger]

Mine haven't been too bad the last couple of days... I've been very conspicously bringing them nice treats in a morning, so the first thing they see is me leaving them food and a half-handful of corn...

I'm hoping it was just the stress of moving into a new pen and establishing a pecking order, as I really CBA fighting them off every day!!

Wait until you forget his treats one day..........then you'll see how bad tempered he can get! Lol

[dexterdoglancashire]

I know its over 12 months ago you helped me out - how is Fred getting on?