Dirty bums

[Karenewilliams]

Hello my 2 year old jersey giant cockerel is a dirty boy he doesnt seem to clean his bum and it is caked. He doesnt perch so guessing at night hes sitting in his droppings. He is extremely aggressive and we cant generally get near him. Hes eating drinking looking good otherwise. The mass is about 4 inches round do we leave or should we clean if cleaning pls advise how. Thank you in advance karen

 

[Mrs J]

Hi Karen and welcome to Backyard Chickens
Well I’m not sure I would be brave enough to tackle him if he is highly aggressive! I’d just hope when he is dust bathing, it would clean itself!! I supposed if you could catch him, maybe wrap him in a towel to restrict his movement, then soak his bottom to loosen the muck and get as much off as you can. I soak mine in a bowl with warm water and Epsom salt, and clean that way, but It doesn’t sound like your boy will take that lying down! It would be best to clean it though, to prevent fly strike and other nasties. Can I ask why you keep an extremely aggressive cockerel?

 

[janiedoe]

Hello, Karen, welcome to BYC.
Is his aggressive behavior new? Is his refusal to perch new? Do they coincide? Maybe your roosts are not wide enough for his feet. Have you checked the roosts for mites?
To do so, take a white paper towel, late at night, and wipe the roosts, top and underside. If you see a rust colored (blood from mites) stain on the towel, you have mites.
I wonder, as @Mrs J does, why you want to keep an aggressive cockrel? A mean rooster can ruin your chicken experience, and injure you or others.
Good luck with your flock!

 

[Callender Girl]

As mentioned, catching your boy in a towel by THROWING it over him and quickly wrapping him from the top down -- known as the "taco method" can subdue him and protect you. I recently used it when deworming my flocks, which include a large and extremely physical rooster as well as a determined goose who had no intention of swallowing medicine. Try to herd him into a corner and toss the towel; this is how my vet taught me to do it. And, by all means, wear thick gloves; the longer, the better!

I had to rehome a young cockerel last summer because as he got older, he was super aggressive to me and a rooster that he had grown up with. It was hard to let him go, and honestly, if he hadn't been constantly attacking Billy Boy, I probably would have put up with his bad behavior. Pauly was beautiful and good with the hens.

Good luck with getting your boy cleaned up and welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Karen, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
You've gotten good advice on what to do with your rooster and how to handle him from previous posters. Good luck.

 

[Isadora]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our friendly and helpful community. Good luck with your rooster.

 

[N F C]

Hi, terrific advice from the previous greeters, hope it helps.

Best of luck!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Rooster. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska !

 

[theoldchick]

Catch him in a fishing net, wrap him in a towel and cut the poopy mass. Be very careful doing this as you don't want to cut skin. Normally, I'd suggest a bath but due to his temperament it would be best to work quickly and carefully. You need to make an easily navigated perch for him that is close to the ground. Use two cement blocks and place a two by four between them. You can secure the perch with cloth or homemade sand bags. Good luck!

 

[Grammy60]

Hello Karen and welcome to BYC So happy you have joined us. Best of luck with your rooster.