Aggressive Bantam Cockerel

[Cathy-Lynn]

We have a mixed-breed bantam cockerel and two pullets that are 8 months old. They run around the backyard when we let them out at 9am until dusk. The past few weeks the cockerel has become increasingly aggressive toward our children, dog, and now me! He runs after them, pecks, and even bites...I've yelled at him, given him a tap on his beak or a nudge with my foot, walked/stood toward him aggressively, and locked him in the chicken barn. I'm not afraid of him, but the kids and dog are. The three chickens have been together since they were 2 1/2 weeks old, so I don't want to separate them. However, they were raised with another cockerel we took to a friend's to avoid fighting. That cockerel is very sweet, so we're thinking of switching the two cockerels. Would that work? Or is there something we can do to stop our cockerel's aggressive behavior towards the family? SERIOUS SUGGESTIONS/ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

 

[crait]

Before he's put to bed and he's calmed down, hold him for a good 20 minutes. Do this during the day too. After a while, he should become more docile.