Darned Cockeral

[chicken slave]

I went as usual to collect the eggs and one of my cockerals 'Drumsticks' decided to attack me.

So now I have a nasty gash in my leg from his first attack, the next couple of attempts I was ready for and just blocked him

I suppose spring is here if he defending his girls so fiercely, but if he doesn't ease up in the next week or so he maybe destined for the pot

[SarzWix]

Ouch!! Hope it doesn't hurt tooo much.

[MaureenHall]

Ooooooooooooooooooooo ouch!!! Are all cockerels territorial and protective then?

[chicken slave]

Apparently not.

His brother who is on holiday next door is really placid and doesn't show any signs of aggresion at all.

A friend has said chase him when he starts and it will show him who's boss, but my garden is massive and I'll be exhausted after 1 lap.

[shirlthegirl43]

We once had a bantam cockered who was a bit aggressive - we used to take a spade into the run with us and swing it at him if he started puffing up. After a few bats, he gave up and saw us as boss.

[lynda66]

i hope coco and buttercup stay nice .... cos right now the worst they do is try to swallow your finger cos they think it's a worm ..... hope your leg's ok and he settles soon

[vicky]

He'd better watch it - with your recent 'butterfingers' you might accidently slip whilst holding a meat cleaver....

[HayleyB]

Ouch, his name sounds very appropriate to me at least you'll get two

[Flummery]

I've heard of people holding down the cockeral by pressing on his back - like he would hold down a hen he was about to tread. This is suposed to put him in an inferior position to you (in pecking order type terms) - and he daren't try it on again. (Allegedly!)

[frias]

My niece had a beautiful Welsummer cockerel. More friendly than the hens, loved to be made a fuss of. Bl**dy fox had him last week. Came at midday even though the family were about.

[chicken slave]

I've heard of people holding down the cockeral by pressing on his back - like he would hold down a hen he was about to tread. This is suposed to put him in an inferior position to you (in pecking order type terms) - and he daren't try it on again. (Allegedly!)

That is probably right, but when you have a large fowl coming at you at speed with claws primed the last thing possible is holding him down by the back.
The damage he inflicts is not with his beak but his claws, he does a kung foo style launch and his claws go straight into your leg or thigh.
Things would be a lot simpler if he was coming beak first as I could side step him and help him in the general direction he was pointing with the end of my foot.

[Hilary B]

I wouldn't recommend a spade for 'discipline' purposes, but something heavy, but softish (even an empty wellie, held by the top end) and swung with a fly swatting action..... I once had a hen turkey come at me (because she thought I was too close to her one chick), and she was at FACE level. Fortunately she didn't see the washing line in between, so I had time to get out of her way....

[chicken slave]

I wouldn't recommend a spade for 'discipline' purposes, but something heavy, but softish (even an empty wellie, held by the top end) and swung with a fly swatting action..... I once had a hen turkey come at me (because she thought I was too close to her one chick), and she was at FACE level. Fortunately she didn't see the washing line in between, so I had time to get out of her way....

I have this mental picture of a turkey on the washing line, that has really cheered me up.

Well round 3, as I have to go and check the food before bed time, wish me luck

[shirlthegirl43]

Umm, forgot to point out it was a large plastic spade the little beggar used to fly for your face but once he had been 'batted' a time or two he got the message (or maybe mr fox got him - I don't quite remember)

[Hilary B]

Umm, forgot to point out it was a large plastic spade the little beggar used to fly for your face but once he had been 'batted' a time or two he got the message (or maybe mr fox got him - I don't quite remember)

Ah now a PLASTIC spade would be ideal!!