FeatherstoneFrm
Songster
So, i posted before about Hank, my 17 week old Australorp cockerel who flew at my legs one day and bit me as I entered the run. We had a special moment together and that hasn't happened again. He pecked my 11 year old daughter the other day but I think he was pecking at a mosquito on her leg. Anyway, I remembered that the night before the incident with me, we had a raccoon in the yard. So he probably was a little freaked out about a predator, maybe even his first predator encounter.
A week or two later, I brought home 4 five week old chicks and put them in a wire crate in the run. When the hens went over to peck at them and grab at their feathers, Hank went over, pecked at the hens, and move between them and the chicks. I have since opened the crate and let the chicks come and go in the run. When they are out of the crate, Hank keeps himself between the hens and chicks and keeps the babies safe.
I am so happy that I decided to give him another chance. I still watch him carefully, we do not try to pet or hold him. I do talk to him and tell he is a good boy when he is.
He is reaching sexual maturity as is 1 of the pullets so I don't know if that will change him, but for now, he is taking his responsibilities seriously.
A week or two later, I brought home 4 five week old chicks and put them in a wire crate in the run. When the hens went over to peck at them and grab at their feathers, Hank went over, pecked at the hens, and move between them and the chicks. I have since opened the crate and let the chicks come and go in the run. When they are out of the crate, Hank keeps himself between the hens and chicks and keeps the babies safe.
I am so happy that I decided to give him another chance. I still watch him carefully, we do not try to pet or hold him. I do talk to him and tell he is a good boy when he is.
He is reaching sexual maturity as is 1 of the pullets so I don't know if that will change him, but for now, he is taking his responsibilities seriously.