Food aggressive cockerel or not?

[Flock Master64]

Hello!

I have a 3-4 month old free range Chocolate Cuckoo cockerel named Flint. A few weeks ago I merged him with my flock of 4 hens wich consists of 3 Amber links and 1 white leghorn. They all get along very well except during feeding time. My Chocolate Cuckoo likes to hog the feeder and chase away the hens when they come too close. I do not hand feed them, but on the occasion I rip up some bread, beagles, or muffins and toss it out to them, I'm not sure if that counts as hand feeding or not. Chocolate Cuckoo's are a big breed, when full grown they weigh about 14-15 pounds and right now Flint is twice the side of my hens so maybe he thinks he can control the feeder since he is bigger? I really really don't want to get rid of him any thoughts?

 

[BunnynChicks]

I don't know if this would work or not but you could try having two or more feeders set up in different places so that if he does chase them away from the feeder they could go somewhere else. He is a very handsome bird and I see why you don't want to get rid of him.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree; add another feeder. Do you have adult hens, or pullets? My hens manage the cockerels very well, and the pullets can be pushed around by the boys. Adult cocks should be nice to the hens and pullets, but the youngsters need to develop social skills.

 

[Flock Master64]

Ok thank you, I do have two feeders out, and he is in with 4 hens and 2 pullets

 

[Tim Tim]

Hello!

I have a 3-4 month old free range Chocolate Cuckoo cockerel named Flint. A few weeks ago I merged him with my flock of 4 hens wich consists of 3 Amber links and 1 white leghorn. They all get along very well except during feeding time. My Chocolate Cuckoo likes to hog the feeder and chase away the hens when they come too close. I do not hand feed them, but on the occasion I rip up some bread, beagles, or muffins and toss it out to them, I'm not sure if that counts as hand feeding or not. Chocolate Cuckoo's are a big breed, when full grown they weigh about 14-15 pounds and right now Flint is twice the side of my hens so maybe he thinks he can control the feeder since he is bigger? I really really don't want to get rid of him any thoughts?

 

[Weehopper]

If there is plenty of feed in the feeders, the others will wait until he is done, and eat when he leaves the feeder. Mine do that all the time. All the bosses eat first, and the others wait.

 

[Flock Master64]

Thank you all very much, it is greatly appreciated

 

[Tim Tim]

http://youtube.com/Micah Wotring

I like his videos

 

[donrae]

He's just a baby. Right now he's a greedy little boy, he doesn't see the point in having any manners and letting the ladies go first.

As he matures, I'm thinking he'll get some incentive to be nicer to the ladies. I am surprised your older ladies don't keep him in line more, but that's not really something you can control. As long as he's just chasing them, I'd let it be.

It's not so much about size, it's about attitude.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Even a rooster who fights for his share is stillq good one.Their animals.Hens fight hens for food.