Cocerell peck broody hen and her baby chicks

[Heidrun]

Hi..our 2 year old cocerell pecks and chase our broody hen and her baby chicks.. I thought cocerells were nice to their offspring?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Not always. Some roosters have been known to kill whole hatches. It is best to separate the broody and her chicks from the flock, or just the rooster if he's the only problem.

 

[Heidrun]

Ohh..They are separated at night, but spend all day out free ranging..They have lots of space..
So will the cocerell accept the hen back as his wife when she is out of broodiness? And what about the little ones, will he accept them when they are older..
He is normally a very kind guy..super nice to his other wifes.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Ohh..They are separated at night, but spend all day out free ranging..They have lots of space..
So will the cocerell accept the hen back as his wife when she is out of broodiness? And what about the little ones, will he accept them when they are older..
He is normally a very kind guy..super nice to his other wifes.

He should, but she and the chicks might not be ready until the chicks are 3-4 months old and he might not accept the chicks until they're 4-5 months old. If there's any cockerels in the bunch, he may never accept those.

 

[Heidrun]

He should, but she and the chicks might not be ready until the chicks are 3-4 months old and he might not accept the chicks until they're 4-5 months old. If there's any cockerels in the bunch, he may never accept those.

Thank you for your info x

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi..our 2 year old cocerell pecks and chase our broody hen and her baby chicks.. I thought cocerells were nice to their offspring?

In my experience, the vast majority of dominant roosters will accept chicks and often helps take care of them and protect them. But you are dealing with living animals. There are going to be exceptions to anything. I've never had an issue like that with my dominant roosters but some others on this forum say they have. I do not separate my broody hen and chicks from the flock. If he is a threat you probably need to separate them or get rid of him and get another rooster.

So will the cocerell accept the hen back as his wife when she is out of broodiness?

Mine always do.

And what about the little ones, will he accept them when they are older..

He is not behaving how I consider normal. I don't know how he will behave in the future. With his abnormal behavior I'm quite serious about considering replacing him.

 

[LuciferRoo]

If he is 2 years old then he is a rooster and not a cockerel.
That behaviour is not something you want.
Last spring I had about 20 roosters in my backyard and they did not attack the new chicks. Only time I worried was in the morning at feeding time. Chickens are not exactly bright so I was worried that a chick would get trampled.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi..our 2 year old cocerell pecks and chase our broody hen and her baby chicks.. I thought cocerells were nice to their offspring?

What kind of pecks?
Is he drawing blood?
How are they kept? Free range or contained?
Are the chicks the roosters offspring?

 

[Heidrun]

What kind of pecks?
Is he drawing blood?
How are they kept? Free range or contained?
Are the chicks the roosters offspring?

Hi..No he doesn't draw blood.. He only pecks like a head hen to show who is the boss..He doesn't really look like he wants to hurt them..But he will not let them have food and wather..I did put my hand in-between him and the hen, and his peck wasn't realy very hard..
They are all roaming around in a woodland..plenty of space for everyone..
Do you think he will accept them after a while?

 

[Heidrun]

What kind of pecks?
Is he drawing blood?
How are they kept? Free range or contained?
Are the chicks the roosters offspring?

Yes the chick's are his babies..