[ambriel]

We have a beautiful cockerel named Nigel whom we all love but we have a problem with him attacking people in the garden.

He's come at me, claws first, a few times and caught the toe of my welly as a result. He's also had a go at my wife, but this afternoon he twice went for my youngest daughter, at head height, which upset her a great deal. She was lucky to escape with a few scratches but it could have been an eye.

Nigel was lucky I didn't catch him else I'd have wrung his neck, there and then.

Obviously we can't let it go on. Next time it could be more serious or it might be one of our friends or their children.

Sugggestions please, before he becomes next Sunday's dinner...

[Riggy]

Next Sunday's dinner, no question for me!

Make sure your daughter gets a leg

[CameronS]

if he is attacking kids then i would suggest monday diner, not sunday dinner.  There are many suggersted ways to cure an aggressive bird but the only certified way is to top him

[Helencus]

Hi if you look on the poultry site there are suggestions there about catching him and holding his head to the ground. It worked with mine last year but he wasn't that bad just 1 abberation. You could try this but if it doesn't work I think you either have to top him or make sure you're the only person whose near him if you're prepared to take the risk.

[ambriel]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

I have considered the 'hold him down' technique but he's very fast and I'm no longer as quick as I used to be.

[Roxy]

I had a maran cockerel who turned nasty.  He did not like me carrying a sack or anything, and would jump at my leg with his spurs.  They can really hurt and its not nice.  Carrying a dustbin lid, or wearing cricket pads on my legs was the best I could come up with!!

[Glentarki]

Hi ambriel…………Over the years I’ve had a similar problem with a variety of breeds some are worse than others….And once a BT engineer repairing our line had to call as he couldn’t get down his ladder thanks to our Cream Legbar cockerel ……I totally understand where your coming from especially around kids and visitors.

There is no cure, he will continue to do this, its his duty…………the reality is he’s protecting his girls and territory, always on the alert he warns them of danger…..In the event of a fox attack  a good cockerel will stand his ground and protect his girls, unfortunately resulting in his own death.

As for Nigel maybe some constraints are required where possible as you mentioned he’s well loved……….Perhaps contained day about is that possible?

Not sure if this helps but best of luck!

Dave

[Eggs, Chicks & Hens]

I have the same problem with Justin my Light Sussex cockerel, so I got an old brush & I take it into his run with me every time I go in, if he does try to go for me I push him down to the floor with the brush, seems to be working, he very rarely goes for me now. I still dont trust him 100% but I.m getting there

[Sylvia]

Whatever you do chickens have short memories and you may have to repeat the punishment after a few weeks. I would never let a child near a cockerell, especially at this time of year. My eleven year old grandson who earns his pocket money by cleaning out the poultry every Saturday is convinced the cockerell is trying to kill him! He climbs up him towards his face and I have, now, to put him in a crate before James arrives

[plumseverywhere]

Oh dear, my worst nightmare chicken wise     
I don't let my 4 anywhere near coco on their own and have told them to not turn their backs on him, he's bigger than my youngest pretty much, being a cochin. so far we've had no problems, touch wood.
I've read about techniques to humiliate them in front of the hens, whether they work or not don't know. did work on a feisty hen I had, held her down when she was getting a bit nasty.
good luck, not a nice position to be in     

[darkbrowneggs]

So sorry you are in this position - but from what you say about him even attacking you (who presumably feed him) I don't think it would really be fair to keep him around youngchildren.  He would certainly frighten them badly, and might give them some sort of lifetime phobia about poultry

Also this type of aggression can be passed on to offspring, so is it fair to be breeding from aggressive stock, either for yourself, or others you might be passing them on to.

I know it's not nice to have to do, but better that than regret it.  Even it you train him to respect you, you will never be able to rely on him not attacking someone else.

Sorry I cant say anything more positive, and unless he is a real good quality show bird I can't imagine anyone wanting to re-home a potential aggressive cockerel

Best of luck whatever you decide
Sue

[princesspiggy]

if he is a really good breeding bird, sell him, if not cook his little tooshie 

[ambriel]

Thanks people. He's been keeping a wide berth of me today but I still don't trust him with the kids and my daughter doesn't want to go into the garden without me being around.

[clydesdaleclopper]

There's a nice recipe for Coq au vin in the River Cottage Meat book 

[princesspiggy]

Thanks people. He's been keeping a wide berth of me today but I still don't trust him with the kids and my daughter doesn't want to go into the garden without me being around.

we sold our geese cos the kids were scared. its a shame. u have to put the kids first, cos u can always restock later wen theyre older.