Aggresive cockerel

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I'm sure this has been discussed before but I can't find it. My very handsome cockerel who roams freely with 20 hens has become pretty savage. He has had a wee go at us all in the last month or so. I made it very clear to him that it wasn't acceptable and told him in no uncertain terms that I would not be terrorised by anything - especially something that I feed and care for - he would be given a chance but that his days were numbered if he kept up that kind of behaviour. Darn thing that he is .... I let the birdies out at the back of 6 this morning - strew some grain across the grass as usual - turned my back to fill the bucket and he tore into my leg. It was bloody sore and made me mad! What's that all about? Is it a protective thing, is he complaining about the grain and wanting something different (!) or is he just a nasty boy? Is it because it's silly season? Might he improve or is he likely to always demonstrate that kind of characteristic? Is there any alternative to killing him - but keeping us all un-attacked - (and visitors coming into the garden). Would it be possible to find a "gentleman" of the cockerel world and is there any real advantage in keeping a cockerel unless you are wanting fertilised eggs to be hatched? As I say - am sure it's all been asked and answered before - but would really appreciate advice. Many thanks - oh and I hope the sun is shining on you all too. Tis a beautiful morning here. N
 
Hi, I started a thread a while ago because we had a very aggressive cream legbar- he attacked me, my son and when he attacked the other half (and he finally believed me about how nasty he was :roll: ) we decided enough was enough and ate him- very nice too!
I had another legbar boy who was no trouble at all and still have 3 bantam boys and an orpington cockerel who show no threatening behaviour at all. In my experience its the bird themselves rather than the particular breed or just that cockerels are vicious- I'd get rid of him and try a new cockerel - but if you decide to keep him it might be best not to breed from him as his offspring could also carry the aggressive trait. Hope this is of some help.
Nicky
 
Hi Nisbet,

I haven't found a way that works yet.... IMO standing up to him will not work. He won't suddenly 'see sense' but will fight to the death. He will be worse during the breeding season.

He's basically being protective of the flock and feels it is his territory to protect. If you moved him to a new run, he would be fine for a while but would resort to agression again once his territory was re-established. Whilst it depends on the breed (his in built genetics) - some being more agressive than others, there are exceptions within known agressive breeds and within known placid breeds.

If you have children going near him, I would get rid of him straight away, if not, I would consider how to manage him or kill him.

Sorry I don't have any better ideas but as I said above, I haven't yet found any other way that works. Maybe someone else will have some less harsh ideas...??

Tim
 
Unfortunately he is only doing what comes naturally- i have a few very nasty cockerels but i don't have kids and they look after the hens well- i just need to manage them- i would not kill a bird because it was aggressive- but that's my thoughts and if you have young children then it could turn out nasty - only you can decide. The worst ones i have found to be are hand tame chicks- alright until adult then turn very nasty.
regards, David :)
 
Thanks for your words of wisdom - I shall come to my decision which I fancy will swing in favour of him moving on to other plains! I am loathed to do so but as I said earlier, I don't want to live always looking over my shoulder for my aggressor - he's a very rude boy and it just won't do! Thanks to all. N
 
I agree with everyone above as well... We had a couple of aggressive boys over the last couple years, and also found the only *true* solution was to get rid of them... and we tried everything we could think of... GL to you :)
 
Hello

My little Rambant is a hooligan crele frizzle pekin with little chicken syndrome and will fight anyone who steps on his turf. The little swine even took a chunk out of my new £60 wellies!

I've tried the meeting fire with fire approach to show him who's boss but he never ever backs down. I've lifted him up with my boot (not a kick I hasten to add) to shoo him out of the way and show I'm bigger and stronger but he's still up for it.
This morning I started using a water pistol on him, every time he goes for my wellies, I give him a scoot. Whether this will work in the long term I don't know but I know he doesn't like it and runs away. This knocks some of the attitude out of him without hurting him. He's a little sod, but he's my little sod and I'd be devastated if he got hurt!

I noticed today he's so tough and protective of his harem that he completely ignored the two big rats galloping by!

Try a water pistol!

Osric
 
Just a little update on the water pistol thing...

It seems to be working, Rambant isn't nearly as hooliganlike or bloodthirsty as he was at the beginning of the week.
I suspect he'll always be a bit of a thug but at least my legs are getting a chance to recover!

He saw off a few jackdaws who landed on his turf this morning, good lad! :D

Osric
 
Funny you should say that...

The little blighter tried to get me today. He lulled me into a false sense of security then pounced when I wasn't watching, but I managed to hold him off with my anti bantam spray!

Osric
 
Noooooooo,don't say that Osric.
I got my pair of Thuringian bantams yesterday,they are a rare german breed.I've got the bantam variety,but,they are the biggest bantams I've got.The hen is lovely,moving to me from west yorkshire hasn't stopped her laying,but,the cockerel is a different kettle of fish.
The lady I bought them from did say he was slightly aggresive at this time of year,but, my arms and hands are a mess :( .
When I put my hands in to pick them out of their travelling box,he pecked me once,drawing blood.I forgave that,he's protecting his hen.
When I got home,if I am anywhere near him,he attacks.Today was cool,so I was wearing a thick sweatshirt,through this my arm is badly bruised from his beak and claws.I haven't got a water pistol,but am buying one very soon(hopefully tomorrow)as the only way I've managed to feed them,get her eggs etc is to pin him down.
Which I don't consider a humane method of managing him.So far I managed to collect today's egg by going to their home when it was dark,and dazzling him with a torch :? .
Culling him is not an option,and I'm hoping that together we can work out a way I can look after them with out being treated like a punch bag :o .
 
Shame he's a little hooligan.
I'm used to mine now, he wouldn't be the same if he suddenly became nice though.

The water pistol thing seems to work, every so often Rambant has a sneaky go but I'm ready for him!

Just checked out the thuringians, I love the big handlebar moustaches! Where did you get them?

Osric
 
Hi Osric,

I know of 2 breeders of Thuringian bantams,one is in surrey,the other is in west yorkshire(the lady who supplied me)I could easily give you her phone number if you'd like.Or,when I've hatched some eggs,you could have some from me :D ,mates rates etc.....well maybe..... :lol: .
 
Lydia said:
The lady I bought them from did say he was slightly aggresive at this time of year,but, my arms and hands are a mess :( .
When I put my hands in to pick them out of their travelling box,he pecked me once,drawing blood.I forgave that,he's protecting his hen.
When I got home,if I am anywhere near him,he attacks.
Click to expand...

Lydia the behaviour you describe is exactly what we encountered with a Hamburg cock we were once given with his ladies.

The cockerel was a feisty old devil to say the least and came with a bad boy reputation. No male could get near him or he would take a chunk out of them. He wasn't too bad with women but still basically a so and so. The treatment this cockerel and any other we've ever had who's started getting a little above his station in life is quite simple, cuddles and lots of them!!!

You pick them up, tuck them under your arm and you keep them there until YOU'RE ready to let them go. They are smaller and weaker than you. Wear clothing that will protect you from sharp claws, beaks, put on a thick coat or a couple of jumpers he can't penetrate and wear gloves if need be but don't let him get away with this sort of behaviour.

Put him down when your're ready. Nothing has to be on their terms, everything on yours. The cockerel just believes he is cock of the roost and you are lower than him in the pecking order. Your job is to prove otherwise. Whilst ever he struggles and fights you keep him there, tucked under your arm, just get on with your jobs taking no notice of him. Only when he's calmed and accepted his situation do you let him go [it might be a long time the first time you try].

It's especially important to do this everytime he comes on to have a go, even a little display needs to be dealt with.

This behaviour starts small and people back off, usually in suprise and don't challenge him on his own territory. He then starts getting more dominent and then before you know it you've a vicious cockerel on your hands with a one way ticket to the dinner table or has everyone in total fear of him.

This method really does work, I've suggested it to a number of people with different breeds and its worked for them. Also the more a bird is handled the tamer it gets.
 
Hi Ann,
thanks for that.I will certainly give it a try,in the morning.
He is better than when I collected him,but,I still need to be on my guard.
Tomorrow,he can be carried by me,whilst I go round and do bits and bobs,finishing with a cuddle.
On sunday,when I got home with him,I did mistakenly pick him up,so he was facing me :? ,big mistake on my part :oops: .He er,was a b****r :( ,a very painfull one at that :roll: .
I've picked him up each day since,but so he isn't facing me,and,he has been a lot more restrained,not struggling or pecking/raking me.
With a bit of luck,with some more handling,he will be a lot calmer and more pleasant.Would be nice to get him to take treats (mealworms)from my fingers, with out stabbing my fingers holding the mealworm,and,ignoring the mealworm :D .
I've named him Thury,pronounced Fury.........
 
I'm going to have to corner my hooligan bird to pick him up. I've chased him around the garden and I can't get him without either flattening him or ripping out a handful of tail feathers.

I'm suddenly reminded of 'Catch the pigeon' from Whacky Races.

I hated that pigeon! And I hated Penelope Pitstop as well! :evil: :evil: :evil:

Noggin the Nog, now there was a good kids program!

Osric
 
Well don't be Penelope, be Dick Dastardly with a fiendish plan. :o Keep him fastened up in a small space if need be. By chasing him around you're playing on his terms not yours. It will also just serve to make him more anxious and aggressive when you do get hold of him. You're handling needs to be calm, firm and assertive. :D Never show aggression to him no matter how much you'd like to throttle him. :lol:
 
Osric said:
I'm going to have to corner my hooligan bird to pick him up. I've chased him around the garden and I can't get him without either flattening him or ripping out a handful of tail feathers.

I'm suddenly reminded of 'Catch the pigeon' from Whacky Races.

I hated that pigeon! And I hated Penelope Pitstop as well! :evil: :evil: :evil:

Noggin the Nog, now there was a good kids program!

Osric
Click to expand...

I hated Penelope Pittstop too,wasn't she annoying,my faveourite t-shirt is of Mutley laughing,Dick Dastardly's dog....a real sweetie :lol: .
Noggin the Nog was brilliant,I read all the Noggin the nog books as well,they were very good,did you know a noggin is a short,thick plank of wood,usually used for roofing.
My Thury is now re-named Thor(thanks kym ;) )and he is adorable,his wife is called Freya,after Thor's daughter.
 
:D Np problems Lyd, just wish I could name mine so easily..... My poor little Light sussex chicks are still in need of names, although tufty butt seems to have stuck on the well developed one lol. well can't really call them chicks now they grow so fast :shock:
Sheesh I am going to be pondering names forever.... 8 serama to name (well 7 ;) )
Got pecked yesterday myself but then the cock was only protecting his ladies in there new home.. seems fine today. Kym
 
Annschooks said:
Well don't be Penelope, be Dick Dastardly with a fiendish plan. :o Keep him fastened up in a small space if need be. By chasing him around you're playing on his terms not yours. It will also just serve to make him more anxious and aggressive when you do get hold of him. You're handling needs to be calm, firm and assertive. :D Never show aggression to him no matter how much you'd like to throttle him. :lol:
Click to expand...

I can't be aggressive towards him, he looks too silly to take seriously!
 
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