10 week old cockerel aggressive?

[Cyneswith]

My 10 week old Marans cockerel is aggressive towards the other birds - charges them, and there are feathers all over the run (no one looks like they get picked on more than the others.) He avoids humans, unless we have food, and then he bites our hands (grabs the skin and pulls/shakes). Is this concerning?

And if so, when should I be planning on smoked Marans for dinner?

I have 7 pullets, one cockerel, mixed flock. Coop is 4x8, run is 8x12, just started free-ranging today - and he took time out to charge at a few of the pullets.

 

[pineapple416]

That is a little concerning...I have never had one of my cockerels or rooster do this. Was he held and socialized when he was younger? Sometimes roos can be aggressive trying to protect their hens of they did not grow up around people a lot. Some cockerels are just aggressive though even if you hold them when they are chicks. I have heard of people having roosters that one day just turn on them. It could also just be a phase though with all the hormones of a young cockerel. If it is hurting you or your birds though it might need to go.

 

[sourland]

I'd keep an eye on him. If the behavior escalates fryer, broiler, roaster = depending upon the age at which he becomes unbearable. Hopefully he will get his act together.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Next time he tries to peck you, grab him and firmly hold him down to the ground until he stops struggling. Or you could "peck" him back with your finger. Doing this shows him that you are dominant towards him. As for him chasing the pullets, it's probably just him trying to assert dominance towards them. As he gets older, he'll learn to be more gentle.

 

[TreeTree411]

Yeah, he sounds like dinner to me. I use to try and work with them, but I found out that Roosters/cockerels are quite delish in my new instant pot. I have two Roosters now, Samson and Son. I haven't named the Son just yet, but he looks to be a keeper!

 

[Cyneswith]

That is a little concerning...I have never had one of my cockerels or rooster do this. Was he held and socialized when he was younger? Sometimes roos can be aggressive trying to protect their hens of they did not grow up around people a lot. Some cockerels are just aggressive though even if you hold them when they are chicks. I have heard of people having roosters that one day just turn on them. It could also just be a phase though with all the hormones of a young cockerel. If it is hurting you or your birds though it might need to go.

He was held and socialized as much as I could manage, which wasn't as much as I'd have hoped. My first batch of chicks imprinted on me, and the second didn't (second batch was in the garage instead of back porch, due to weather, so I couldn't hear them/respond if they were freaked out), so I know I could've done better.

I've given him a finger-peck whenever he's overly aggressive with me, picked him up and carried him when I can after he charges the others. The pullets respond to that sort of thing. He doesn't.

He is only 10 weeks old. Which on one hand seems too young to make a call like that, but it also seems like aggressive behavior is developing way too early.

 

[Folly's place]

One of my cockerels started attacking me at eight weeks of age! Some boys are just idiots, and if you can cope with him long enough, He'll be delicious!
If he's harming the other chicks, he may need to be gone much sooner. If you have adult chickens, they might be able to manage him to eating size. Or not.
Mary

 

[Islander11]

Try to Socialize him. Maybe holding him a few times day, That is If having a rooster is something you like.

 

[Folly's place]

Beekissed has a very good article about managing cockerels here somewhere. It does NOT include hugging the little b*****s.
Polite cockerels may have a bad thought once, twice at most, and are easily discouraged. They learn, and don't think that humans are flock members to manage.
Aggressive idiots aren't worth having, except for dinner.
Mary

 

[azygous]

The breed tends to produce aggressive cockerels. I had one, and he was like yours. I rehomed him.

If you want to keep him, you need to begin discipline immediately. As long as you are so inclined, it would be easier to butcher him when he gets some meat on him.