The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Annie46 on July 08, 2018, 10:43:34 am

Title: Will a cockerel fight with a hen
Post by: Annie46 on July 08, 2018, 10:43:34 am

Hi
We have taken on 3 young leghorns (maybe 12 weeks) - 1 of which is much bigger than the other 2.
have introduced them slowly to our other mixed batch. There hasn't been too much conflict however this morning our silkie male and this one started to have a jumpig kicking match. The silkie has never done that to any other female so wondering if this leghorn is a cockerel or would a cockerel fight with a female?

Title: Re: Will a cockerel fight with a hen
Post by: doganjo on July 10, 2018, 11:26:53 pm

I'd guess it's a male and your silkie is telling the young interloper where to get off.  Leghorns are bigger so he's getting in first  :roflanim:

Title: Re: Will a cockerel fight with a hen
Post by: landroverroy on July 11, 2018, 10:54:26 am

It should stand out from the others at 12 weeks if it is the only male of the three. At that age the young cockerel would have a much more prominent comb than the pullets, and also a red wattle under its beak, which you can hardly see in immature pullets.

Title: Re: Will a cockerel fight with a hen
Post by: in the hills on July 11, 2018, 06:04:20 pm

I have known cockerels andd hens have a little spat when establishing the pecking order.


As landroverroy says you should see some signs if it were a cockerel.

Title: Re: Will a cockerel fight with a hen
Post by: waddy on July 11, 2018, 08:22:49 pm

I had a feisty large fowl silkie hen who would take on my huge Brahma cockerel and make him back off if he dared to try anything!


H

Title: Re: Will a cockerel fight with a hen
Post by: Annie46 on July 14, 2018, 06:44:53 pm

Thanks all

Wattles etc much more developed and has started jumping on a couple of the smaller females much to our female acracuna's chargrin lol (she gives him hell)

There is another home he can go to so I won't feel too bad