Cockerel starting to charge children

[Sneebsey]

Cull him. The kind of training a cockerel needs in order to mature into a 'good boy' needs to start at a very young age, though of course some may never change. Think of it as similar to training a dog. This kind of behaviour shows you that he will likely never be trustworthy around your children.

If you choose to get another boy (and there are many good boys out there), ensure that he is taught never to crow or breed hens around you and to keep a respectful distance from you and your children unless you are the ones to approach. It's important to ingrain into him that you are top rooster. If he comes at you, come back at him twice as hard with a swift (but gentle, we're not punting a football) kick if necessary. It may sound callous, however if you look at the bloody, brutal fights they can have between themselves, you can see that in order to gain respect from your cockerel you must prove to him that you can beat him up.

 

[aart]

I don't think most kids, especially very young ones, know how to act around male livestock...and chickens are livestock, even you think they are your 'pets'.
90% of cock/erel misbehavior is about what the humans do rather than the birds.

 

[chickens really]

Definitely a Cockerel/Rooster that's attacking your kids is a danger. Many times the attacks are unpredictable too.
I had one that attacked me daily so I got rid of him quickly..
Best wishes and I'm sure you will make the right decision..

 

[Aunna]

We have decided to cull him after he attacked my son again today. Thank you all for helping me make this hard decision.

 

[Mrs. K]

The brain size of a chicken is not big. It is one thing to try and train a bird that will be by adults, but another to risk a child. Roosters do size up their opponents, and will attack children first. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of kids. Get down on your knees and take an attack, brings it into a whole different perspective.

Thank God for you kids, you did it. A bird is not worth the risk.

@aart - maybe a kid will make a mistake with a male animal, not act right around them, but really it is their back yard too, and a child should not have to pay with their faces. Running and jumping and yelling are all pretty normal child like behavior.

Mrs K

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’ve posted this so many times! Roo’s come and go (life expectancies) but your children’s BEAUTIFUL faces last a life time.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I know how hard it can be. We had a Buff Orpington cockerel. HAD being the key word there. He started off with attacking my daughter and me then eventually moved onto attacking my husband. It was the last straw when he knocked the glasses off my daughter's face when he flew at her. I knew that had she not had her glasses on he could have seriously hurt her. So away he went. We have a cute little silkie bantam cockerel now and he is sweet as can be.......so all cockerels don't end up being jerks.

 

[Rlmp817]

Thank you for this post. I have a rooster who has been becoming aggressive and attacked myself & my son today.
The next day the kids are away I will cull him.

 

[aart]

@aart - maybe a kid will make a mistake with a male animal, not act right around them, but really it is their back yard too, and a child should not have to pay with their faces. Running and jumping and yelling are all pretty normal child like behavior.

I was in no way suggesting that the birds be allowed 'free range' rather than the kids.
Meant that kids should not be expected to know how be around such animals.
If there are kids around, the livestock should be kept confined away/out of kid areas.