D’Uccle cock or pullet?

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Cockerel.

 

[jolly wattles]

Oh. I understand. I thought cuddling him would make him more of a kind roo though.
He’s younger than all my other chickens and none of them seem to want to hang out with him.

Is he the only rooster in your flock?

 

[Allie❤️Chickens]

Is he the only rooster in your flock?

We have another one that we are getting rid of soon.

 

[jolly wattles]

We have another one that we are getting rid of soon.

Then I wouldn't worry about them not wanting to hang out with him. That will come. But yes I would stop coddling him.

 

[Allie❤️Chickens]

Then I wouldn't worry about them not wanting to hang out with him. That will come. But yes I would stop coddling him.

Ok thank you. I’ll try my best to not cuddle him as much.

 

[jolly wattles]

Ok thank you. I’ll try my best to not cuddle him as much.

As much? Lol

 

[Allie❤️Chickens]

As much? Lol

 

[La3la]

I'd stop snuggling HIM.

I don’t know why people are saying not to snuggle them but I’ve had a LOT of roosters the past 19 years, encluding d’uccles, and in my experience it just makes them more friendly.

 

[Allie❤️Chickens]

I don’t know why people are saying not to snuggle them but I’ve had a LOT of roosters the past 19 years, encluding d’uccles, and in my experience it just makes them more friendly.

Oh thank you thank you thank you!!
His favorite thing to do is sit in my lap and groom himself. I really was upset about having to cut out cuddles.

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

I'd personally said it's a little more nuanced than that. It's okay to cuddle a cockerel IF it's on your terms and ONLY IF he knows already that you are in control. In my experience this has helped with keeping certain roosters (my little MF D'uccle included) in line. It really depends on the cockerels temperament though, as well as your own ability to play such power games effectively.

For example, my first bantam cochin cockerel was my baby. He loved to cuddle with me, and he came running when he saw me. He totally owned me and I was blissfully unaware of how bad this was. In his little bird brain, he was on top of the world - and me, so when hormones kicked in (and they always do) his aggression came out and it was all directed toward me. If I was cuddling him he was sweet as could be, but he would peck me and draw blood if I didn't immediately give him attention when he wanted it. If I paid more attention to another chicken in his presence he would absolutely lose it and chase after me. I tried my best to salvage the damaged relationship I had unwittingly caused by rooster training but by that point it was too late and he was out of control.

In a different case, I also had my Mille Fleur D'uccle, who was raised in the same flock as him. I knew earlier that this one was a cockerel, so I didn't get so attached and cuddly, even though this chicken was THE CUTEST AND SWEETEST chick ever. He learned to keep his distance naturally, and I learned my lesson with my cochin. I chose to handle all of my chickens as often as I can, so that if I need to they will let me. With my roosters, I make it a point to occasionally pick them up and hold them so they know I am not afraid of them. I don't let them climb all over me or spontaneously jump up on me, but I am also kind to them and when I pick them up I will pet them or rub under their wings or wattles as they enjoy that a lot. Then I decide when to put them down. I make sure that I am in control of every detail of our interaction and I don't spoil them. This has worked exceptionally well with a few of my boys, especially this little D'uccle, who is currently our head rooster now that I've done some flock management and gotten down to a good ratio of hens to roosters.

My little Beau with his two favourite hens.