biting the hand that feeds you

[CarolynEarley]

We have about 6 cockerels and 25 hens. They have all grown up together from chicks of 2 weeks old and are now 8 months old. The cockerels do squabble between themselves but this morning two of them took turn in jumping up against me quite aggressively. It is very intimidating. Why are they doing it and how do I put a stop to this? :shock:

 

[Castle Farm]

Ah! This is a cockerels way of asking you to invite it to join you at the dinner table.

 

[victorias poultry]

I have never had an aggresive cockerel luckily. The only time mine jump up is when they want to sit on my knee for a cuddle 10

 

[Tim]

Unfortunately, there isn't anything you can do about agressive cockerels apart from the obvious rehome or cull - they will only get worse during the breeding season. I have read various advice from people suggesting you should confront them but personally I feel this adds fuel to the fire. The best way IMO is to defuse the situation if you can by picking the bird up or physically separating yourself from him.

Some people will keep them and tolerate their antics but you should keep in mind separating them from children.

To be honest, the ratio is rather high - 2 active cockerels would be enough for 25 hens, I have one for nearly 30 hens and he seems to get around them all ok.. 11 the more you have, the more the hens will suffer next year with them treading the girls and they will soon lose feathers and they will be sparring and causing one another damage unless they have a very large area and their own hareem of hens

At this time of year, it's a good idea to weigh this up as they will all need feeding and care over the colder months. 05

 

[victorias poultry]

I have one for nearly 30 hens and he seems to get around them all ok.. 11 05

Good grief Tim, what are you feeding your boys 07 My red silkie cockerel runs around with around 20 warrens and he is exausted after the first 5 ladies

 

[Tim]

Yes VP that's a few too many hens for him really - but he does seem to be coping.

A cockerel doesn't need to mate every day to every hen thankfully :lol:

 

[darkbrowneggs]

We have about 6 cockerels and 25 hens. They have all grown up together from chicks of 2 weeks old and are now 8 months old. The cockerels do squabble between themselves but this morning two of them took turn in jumping up against me quite aggressively. It is very intimidating. Why are they doing it and how do I put a stop to this? :shock:

Hi there - Although all my own cockerels are bred for calmness of temperament I did recently have one "brought in" cockerel that was particularly aggressive when he arrived. I cured him of this in a couple of weeks by penning him separately, then each day picking him up to handle him, at which point he pecked vigorously at any part of me available. I then held him firmly by the back end of his comb and scolded him, then stroked him as soon as he calmed down, at which point he normally resumed pecking and the process repeated.

I didn't subject him to this for more than around 3 or 4 mins, then returned him to his pen with soothing noises and put in some food for him.

I would think around 6 girls to every cockerel would be a minimum to keep everyone calm so it might be worth taking out your weakest 2 and moving them on in some sort of way

All the best
Sue
Dark Brown Eggs

 

[CarolynEarley]

Thanks everyone for your advice. We will cut the numbers down (literally) and I will try to be brave enough to pick my 'friend' up and give him some TLC. Thanks again