[troll]

Hello again,

I have a beautiful Welsummer cockerel who has been hand reared from the egg ! He is about 9 months old but in the last couple of months he has gone from eating out of your hand (and hiding behind me cos the hens were picking on him !) to attacking anybody he isn't particularily familiar with. He has had a go at me a few times but more importantly has also gone for the kids (who are now terrified of him). I have chased him around the field and even kicked him a few times but he just keeps coming back for more. I have also tried 'reverse phsycology' and not retaliated when he has attacked. He is ok with me now (although I don't trust him) but what can I do ??!!! He has even gone charging across the field and attacked my neighbours when they have been taking their horses in !! 

[Aunt Sally]

I don't think any of us would recommend kicking a chicken, in fact we'd be rather cross 

press him to the ground as though you are a cockerel would be a nicer way to show him who's boss.  Some cockerel can never be tamed though.

[troll]

I know kicking him is obviously not the thing to do but it was more in self defence than anything !!! He was attacking my daughter !!

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly but should I hold him down when he is just acting normally or when he is attacking ? The latter would be rather difficult !!

[Aunt Sally]

Whenever you can.

Others will be along with good advice soon.  It's a common problem.

[troll]

OK, thank you very much, I will give it a go if I get chance  Thanks again

[GrannieAnnie]

Joyfull told me that when a vicious cockerel does his little 'dance', to imitate him.  It confuses him!

Although not really vicious, our Bertie the RIR started flying at us and pecking our feet, so although I felt like a right p**t, I did this, and he is now a pussycat!  Took him longer to get used to Brian though.

Whereas Beksy our Appenzeller, was REALLY vicious, should have called him Sid!  I used to dunk his head in a bucket of water as advised once by Agapanthus.  It would work for a day or so, but then he'd do it again.  So in the end I re-homed him to someone who said oh I'll sort him out, I just cover his head with something to keep his eyes dark and sit him on my lap for an hour.  That always sorts them out.  But after a while he gave up and either culled him or re-homed him!

Like Auntie said, some you will never tame.  Shame as the Welsummers are lovely looking boys!

[joyfull]

as he is attacking your daughter then I'm afraid you should dispatch him. It isn't a good idea to breed from him either as this trait could be passed on 

[troll]

Hi Joyfull,

Thank you.
I have wondered about this but he is such a lovely looking bird I am reluctant to dispatch him really. If I cannot calm him down I think unfortunately he will have to go (he hasn't even got his spurs yet, I hope he doesn't get worse !!). Also unfortunately it is a bit late with regard to breeding from him as I have a hen sat on 'his' eggs at the moment (due to hatch on Sunday !..... don't know if you have seen my other post re. a broken egg ?).  I have thought that maybe I will see if any of his offspring turn out to be cockerels and maybe replace him.