Attacked by cockerel

[chickenfan]

I had a young cockerel full pelt into the middle of my back today when I was changing the water of some of my growers. I still have a lot to learn about cockerels. It was one of my friendliest birds that just lets me pick him up and everything seemed very peaceful when it happened. I was wearing a different jacket from normal and was also quite close to a pen with another cockerel. Did he get me confused with the other cockerel? I immediately picked him up and put him in a small pen away from his hens, but can't think why he did this.

 

[chrismahon]

I've been attacked by Chester, a very large boy, because I was wearing a different shirt, carrying a bucket with a red lid and wearing sandals for the first time. Not much bruising each time -lucky really. Any other time and he's fine. I think he was protecting his hens from what he perceived was a potential threat. Second time with same and he was fine.

 

[chickenfan]

Yes, that makes sense, Chris. I wondered if it was because I was wearing a different colour jacket. Benedict has been incredibly friendly from birth and sang a most unusual warble song soon after hatching. He is back to his docile self today.

 

[dinosaw]

The Alpacas are the same when we are wearing hats, they take up a defensive stance heads down and tails up until you take your hat off and show yourself. This has reminded me though Chickenfan to give some additional advice about using finger pecking to keep a bird in line, don't do it to a hen who is running with a cock/cockerel or you may find yourself being drop kicked as I did once, in my case by a tiny Pekin.

 

[elmdene]

Our old cockerel Basil was absolutely fine with us unless we were barefoot or wearing sandals. He seemed to have a toe fetish which would drive him mad.