Battle of the Cockerels

[kathyd]

Seriously Bal, you need to get rid of one before you get any more attached. We have 8 girls. We hatched 6 fertile eggs last year and got 5 boys and one girl.. lol . Kept 2 boys who seemed to be the runty ones, and both more willing to be 2nd in command. They battled, sorted it out, then the more dominant one started to stalk me. After a deliberate savage peck on the finger, I decided to get rid of him. So left with the runtiest one who shows definite preferences for 4 or so of the girls, and chases the others away from the food. Some of them are quite scared of him, which I'm not happy about. I feel honour bound to keep him now, unless he becomes aggressive, but frankly most of my lot were happier before they got a male and I wouldn't do it again from choice....

[Bigmallly]

but frankly most of my lot were happier before they got a male and I wouldn't do it again from choice....

Now where have I heard that before?.................

[Bal]

Does he want a Cockerel?...................

No but he's offered to despatch him for me

[Bigmallly]

No but he's offered to despatch him for me

Have you made a decision?...........Difficult, as in his world he isn't doing anything wrong.

[Bal]

When we bought this place my plan was to raise chickens for eggs and the pot. I have now realised that I just couldn't eat anything I have raised or cared for. I have emailed my colleague who gave me the chickens in the first place but she says she just couldn't have them as she has nowhere to keep them. I think we will have to despatch them, OH doesn't want to do it so will ask the farmer. I feel really guilty now that I took them. Her plan was to sell them.

[Bigmallly]

If it's any consolation, I think you are doing the right thing.

[veggiechicken]

I know its little consolation, but at least the farmer is experienced at despatching.
Sorry

[Bal]

Nature is so strange sometimes. When the cockerels first started to grow and jostle for position, it was Chicken Geroge who was top dog. They would have a bit of a spat but nothing serious. Somehow the positions have changed. Bertie is now the bigger cockerel, and really quite vicious. I feel so sorry for poor George. He wanders around the garden on his own while the other 4 are all together. When we kept chickens as a child we had one cockerel to 10 chickens it didn't occur to me that the poor hens would suffer too from even one cockerel. I will speak to the farmer this weekend and get the deed done. They will both have to go.

[Scarlet]

I think your work colleague passed the buck Bal. Its difficult to home the boys. Some cockerels are much softer than others, the one I have now wouldn't say boo to a goose and is very easy on the girls but I've had some nasty ones too. You've given them a good spell, much more than most peeps would.

[muddled]

Gosh! don't feel guilty for taking them!

First of all, the person you got them from would never have been able to sell them! Do the maths...one cockeral per about eight hens? At least 50% hatched are boys! Cockerals are notoriously difficult to GIVE away, let alone sell!

Don't feel too bad for the cockerals either.
In any commercial enterprise they'd have been dispatched long ago. With you they've at least had a pretty good innings, sun on their backs and so on.

The real injured party here is you. It's a rotten position to be in. Really hard. I feel that if you had actually raised them for the pot they wouldn't have names and you would have been more emotionally prepared. As it is, they have become pets and I really feel for you.

Don't feel guilty. Feel sad, feel cross even....but you have done absolutely nothing to feel guilty for.

[Nicos]

^^^^^ spot on muddled

[Lisasbolt]

Sorry Bal, a horrible situation, could you keep one for short term to see if things calm down?
The chicken man is often trying to give me a free cockerel, never for sale, far too many of them.

Good luck x

[Bal]

Sorry Bal, a horrible situation, could you keep one for short term to see if things calm down?

Thank you all for the great advice and support. The vine truly is a wonderful place

I think that's a good idea. Poor George will have to go. But will keep Bertie for a bit and see how the hens fair. If he is too rough on them he will have to go too.

[Nannysally99]

Don't feel guilty Bal, my sister kept chickens a few years ago and none of her cockerels made it.
They get really vicious - even with humans. She too had a friendly farmer do the deeds

[Scarlet]

Thank you all for the great advice and support. The vine truly is a wonderful place

I think that's a good idea. Poor George will have to go. But will keep Bertie for a bit and see how the hens fair. If he is too rough on them he will have to go too.

If you are going to keep one it may be worth considering George. He's been top "dog" without showing too much aggression all this time., especially as your girls have so far been happy. Bertie is only just finding his feet and could prove the most aggressive.