Cockerel aggression

[chickenfan]

My young Marans cockerel, who looks after the hens beautifully. He is huge and I am not sure how to begin handling him again, or reassert my dominance. He does a lot of wing-beating and goes for me if I go in the pen with his hens. I know I'm supposed to pick him up and carry him, or push him to the ground, but is the best way to start at night (I think he will still beat his wings)? He was lovely as a youngster, and he looks after the hens beautifully, so I am probably just not managing him right. Earlier in the season I pushed him to the ground and he was respectful afterwards. But I've been nervous since he attacked me, and I'm pretty sure he'll just go for me if I try to pick him up.

 

[chrismahon]

This time of year cockerels are pretty aggressive anyway Chickenfan. We've not been successful with all of ours and one had to be despatched last week because he would fly at your face for no particular reason. Two important things- never get between the hens and him and always feed him food treats first so he can call his hens over. This prevents his authority being undermined and helps to avoid him being overly defensive. Very few of ours will be picked up without a struggle and if they do I have found to put them back on the floor again so their feet touch the ground, then pick them up again and repeat if necessary. It's not an easy relationship with cockerels- even frequent handling can be no help this time of year. Forcing them into a corner can result in them attacking you as self-preservation. After all that's their job -to engage the 'predator' to protect the hens. He will perhaps sense you are nervous and perhaps you are best leaving him alone until he is happy with you being in the run. We have this problem coming up with our new cockerel and fortunately I wear glasses. We have to check them all (4 hens and him) for lice and wash a few bottoms and he is getting rather aggressive.

 

[chickenfan]

Thank you very much for your interesting and helpful reply, as always, Chris.