Cockerel attacking pullet

[Harmoni]

Wtf?!?! My 11 week old cockerel just attacked my 14 week old pullet. He repeatedly pecked her head and flipped her over. Pretty sure I can see her skull in one spot. Cleaned with povidone, vetricyn and packed with bacitracin. Going to isolate her for at least the night. Anything else I should do?

 

[BlueBaby]

Maybe get rid of that mean cockerel?

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Anything else I should do?

Cockerel and dumplings!

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I agree I would cull too or separate him.

 

[BlueBaby]

Was he trying to breed her when he did that to her? Cockerel's mature faster then the pullet's do, and then will try to breed the pullet's even when they are not ready.

 

[Harmoni]

Maybe get rid of that mean cockerel?

We're going to cook him once I fatten him up.

 

[Harmoni]

Was he trying to breed her when he did that to her? Cockerel's mature faster then the pullet's do, and then will try to breed the pullet's even when they are not ready.

No. He wasn't trying to mount. He grabbed the back of her her head, pecked repeatedly and then flipped her onto her back. It looked like when 2 roos fight with one not fighting back.

 

[BlueBaby]

We're going to cook him once I fatten him up.

Maybe you should separate him in the meantime so that it doesn't happen again?

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Wtf?!?! My 11 week old cockerel just attacked my 14 week old pullet. He repeatedly pecked her head and flipped her over. Pretty sure I can see her skull in one spot. Cleaned with povidone, vetricyn and packed with bacitracin. Going to isolate her for at least the night. Anything else I should do?View attachment 3082165View attachment 3082166

Keep the wound clean, medicated and moist with vetericyn, etc.while it heals. You don't want to let the wound dry out, or it may not heall properly. If there is any loose skin left from the injury, you can use the skin to help cover and protect the wound.

You didn't say how many flockmates she has, but she is susceptible to being attacked again if they notice her wound. You can use Blu-kote later when the wound is well on it's way to healing. But if you use it now, the wound will be camouflaged and you won't easily be able to assess the progress of her healing.

Personally I wouldn't wait to fatten up that cockerel before I cooked him. He may provide more meat later, but at least now he will be more tender. Whatever his "excuse" for his savagery (hormones, etc), in my book there would be no excuse good enough to justify his attack. I hope your pullet heals ok.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

We're going to cook him once I fatten him up.

I would put the little SOB in a pen alone until then. No reason to risk the same thing happening to any of the others. (That is assuming they were in with the others.)