[thechicken]

A few weeks ago a white chicken appeared in the garden and has been with us ever since. Initially sleeping up a tree and since it has gone colder is happy to go into our garage where she perches and we close the door for safety.
She is on 'her' own which concerns us but she is very territorial chasing other birds out of the garden including the pheasant - size does not phase 'her'
Yesterday instead of just doing 'her' usual chasing she attacked a wood pigeon and inflicted quite serious injuries.
This has caused us great concern and are wondering whether 'she' is actually a cockrel (how can we tell!) and also whether her being on her own is causing the aggression and what should we do?!   

[hillfooter]

A few weeks ago a white chicken appeared in the garden and has been with us ever since. Initially sleeping up a tree and since it has gone colder is happy to go into our garage where she perches and we close the door for safety.
She is on 'her' own which concerns us but she is very territorial chasing other birds out of the garden including the pheasant - size does not phase 'her'
Yesterday instead of just doing 'her' usual chasing she attacked a wood pigeon and inflicted quite serious injuries.
This has caused us great concern and are wondering whether 'she' is actually a cockrel (how can we tell!) and also whether her being on her own is causing the aggression and what should we do?!  

If you can post a photo it's not possible to tell otherwise without more to go on other than a white chicken being aggressive!

A cock will stand more errect have longer thicker leggs, and older cocks will have long 7cms spurs, they will be sleeker than a hen which is usually rounder and squatter and shorter necked.  The comb and wattles will be much more pronounced and large.  Hens tend to have very small combs and wattles.  A cock's hackles will be longer and more abundant with pointed rather than broader rounded ends, it will usually have more abundant saddle feathering and a less fluffy rump but longer and sickle shaped tail feathers curving downwards.  It's behaviour will be more perky and alert with more of a swagger  than a hen, which leads to the term "cocky".   Cocks usually will only attack male intruders and a hen will be courted to join his harem.  Cocks are more likely to be aggressive if protecting his harem.  Hens are more territorial usually and will attack intruders who they see as rivals for the flocks food resources.

Regards
HF

[thechicken]

Thanks for that - I will update a photo later. The chicken is only small and from what you say it does make me think that it is a she
Do you think that being on its own is an issue or do are they happy alone? I am just concerned introducing others bearing in mind how territorial it is.
There is no doubt that it likes human contact and if we are ever in the garden it is always inches behind you.
Thansk again

[hillfooter]

I should have also mentioned the most obvious sign it's a cock, if it's mature or reaching maturity it should be crowing.

Normally you should keep chx in a social group as they are flock animals.  it's very difficult to judge whether this bird will be aggressive or not to other chx.  It's odd that it has just appeared anyway and sort of suggests it may have been a problem bird which someone has abandoned.  If you do get some companion birds you should get two or three so there's less chance it will dominate them all. 

It might be a bantam from what you have told us and I suspect it's a hen too as a young non crowing cockerel is unlikely to be aggressive.  There's no need to match it with other bantams if you want some companions, a middle sized pure breed or any hybrids should integrate.  Check it out for health particular signs of sneezing runny nose wheezing or rattly breathing.  It doesn't sound depressed from your description which is another sign.  You will need a slow integration if you do add other birds. 

How long has it been with you?  The longer the more difficult inntehration will be as it will regard your garden as it's territory.  Don't expect a smooth ride but with luck provided it's normal it should accept others.

Buy some mixed poultry corn to tempt it to eat from your hand and see if you can tame it a little.
HF