chasing cockerel

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hi guys,

i work on a farm (well the office i work in is a converted barn on a farm) the farmer who owns the land has recently got 2 cockerels and both are quite fiesty.

one in particular keeps cockadoodling as soon as he sees us and he walks on one leg and starts sticking his chest out.

if we turn our backs he literally comes chasing at us and im not sure if he will peck us because we always turn around before he gets to close. if we keep looking at him he wont come any closer but still bigs him self up as soon as we turn our backs hes chasing us.

what do we do? i mean i could boot him away but i dont want to start a big fight and e very time im outside i have to watch my back.

he literally comes looking for us as soon as he hears our door open or close.

thanks
 
Doubt he will actually attack. He should get close and fan his wings out and start stomping the ground. Gently put your foot under his chest and lift and push him backwards. He might peck your leg if you are unlucky but it's worked for me in the past with a very large Black Orpington Cockerel.
 
iv had 3 boys so far that have done this but 2 of them would attack even if looking at them. one attacked and i picked up tin bin lid knocked him out cold he came round and attacked me again. my sister now has him.
iv been told if they attack they will always.
iv now got a polite boy so never have to run down the garden any more
 
Have you told the farmer the bird is attacking you, and asked him to keep him penned? It's not your responsibility to control the bird and I don't see why you have to put up with this harassment. If it was a fierce dog you'd expect it to be kept under control.
 
Completely agree with Marigold.
They seem to be at the stage where they are holding back at the moment but that could change very quickly and you could get a nasty injury. Even quiet males are unpredictable and these have proved that they are threatening so don't take any chances. You are right to hold back from any physical contact as that can lower the inhibition they are showing at the moment. They may have started coming to you looking for food but it has gone beyond that.
The one thing I've found that will repel them is to squirt them with water, from water pistol, hand sprayer, wahing up liquid container but you should start with the farmer.
 
ok thanks guys. i mean what sort of damage can these guys do? I really dont know much about them but have heard of cock fights in the states etc so im a bit concerned. we will definately need to get on to the farmer as i know its a small animal and i could prob hurt it i really dont want to. i like birds and i mean if its in his nature then he should just be kept away as its not fair on us. i dont want to try to move him with my foot either because although ive got steal toe cap boots and jeans on i dont want him to attack me or think im going to hurt him.
 
The damage is done with their spurs and their beaks. The spurs are at the back of the legs and depending on the age, depends how big they are. It's usually the legs that get scratched as they dive at you, but sometimes if they are really aggressive, they will fly up and attack hands.
 
Our lambs forced their way past the dividing gate and into the main Orchard where all the hens were out. Bottom immediately placed himself between the hens and the lambs (30Kg weight at that stage). One of them moved forwards a bit and he immediately flew up and slashed across her face with his claws. A hasty retreat and they never went near him again. Fortunately no damage was done. He is a big softy normally but never forgets he is there do do a job -protect his hens at all cost.

So Tryme, Bottom is a big heavy Orpington cockerel with relatively small wings and got 3 feet into the air to strike. At the last moult he accidentally flew 6 feet into the air (soo funny). A lighter flighty breed like a leghorn could probably reach your face. Our last little bantam leghorn cockerel flew over a 5 foot fence. I would talk to the farmer on an urgent basis.
 
ok this doesnt sound great. will be talking to my manager and if we all do something will be done
 
my sister got attacked when young badly slashed her neck but she was tiny at the time
cant do too much damage through boots but can leave some bruising
 
it just jumped up at my colleague and he said he had to kind of paw it away with the back of his hand. getting a bit concerned now.
 
Has your employer contacted the farmer yet?
Tell him you will claim under health & safety at work regulations if nothing is done about it and someone is injured.
 
If the farmer won't keep the roosters penned up keep a stick handy. Some roosters learn not to mess with people with sticks. One other thing you can do is walk aggressively toward the rooster until you get him 30-50 of your steps away from where he was. Sometimes that works to stop his aggression. I recommend having the stick when walking toward him just in case he attacks as not all roosters will respect that you have become the aggressor. Roosters and cockerels from about 5 months of age and older can be very mean and hurt you. They may hit face on or catch you with your back turned. You may not even know they are around until they hit you.

They can skin you up real good through jeans, the heavy cotton kind. I have seen bloody skinned areas under jeans where one hit someone. Once they get spurs they can do a lot of damage.

Hope the farmer takes his responsibility seriously and pens the roosters up. If not you have lots of information on how to keep them off of you.
 
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