Been meaning to despatch our young cockerel for the last 2 months now (!) but other things kept getting in the way. As he got older and his hormone levels rose there was a notice-able increase in stress levels in the chicken run. Mr Cockerel was having a hard time keeping his hareem protected.
The youngster had worked out that the hens would leave the protection of Mr C when they returned to the hen house to lay, so he would ambush them on the way back - at which point Mr C would come haring over and jump on the hen himself to assert ownership. It seemed that the hens felt unable just potter around scratching and mooching, they spent most of the time being guarded. It was very obvious which hens were laying as they were bearing the scars of ll the treading, with loss of feathers on their backs.
So yesterday Master C presented me with an opportunity not to be missed - he got himself caught up in the pigeon netting over the run so I was able to catch him very calmly.
We are having roast chook for supper tonight.....
Piccy is of the flock yesterday morning - Phil the pheasant had joined in for the morning corn! Master C is the gold neck feathered one top right.