Jealous cockerel and being naughty

[SSAcres]

I thought I had an understanding w/ Bob, the LB cockerel until the last few days. Whenever I bring treats or scraps out for them, the girls all come to me to receive them. This makes him mad. If I kneel down to pet some of the girls or feed them by hand, he tries to attack me to get me away from "HIS" girls. He should really know by now that I'm not hurting them at all and giving them yummy things, but NOPE. He's been kicked several times. I show no fear and go right at him, all big and puffed up as I can, and scold him. He's learned two new words in the last week. MOVE and OUT. He's not made contact w/ me yet and I won't let him as long as I can move quick enough to discipline him. He's only going to get bigger and probably more aggressive once he's an adult, so I want to nip this in the bud. He was really good for about a month and he was breeding them then, too.

I might introduce him to the squirt bottle today if he tries it again. I will prevail!!!

Any other tips welcome.

TIA

L.

 

[kellysmall87]

Ha, mine does exactly the same. When I bring the girls some treats or pick a hen up to check it over, he gets very jealous! Mine looks straight at me, does a little grunt and then kicks me in the legs! He's not hurt me yet, but I have to be careful that he doesn't get high enough to get me in the eyes!
I tend to go right back at mine, usually with a tap of my foot, or shuffle my foot on the ground and he doesn't tend to like the noise. Picking them up and carrying them around for a while usually sorts them out too.

They are cute and funny but just watch your eyes!!

 

[SSAcres]

I'm glad I'm not alone!! Oh he got me good at lock down tonight. GRRR... He got me while I was kneeling down putting their door down... right from behind and he JUMPED ON ME!!!!! I had my hands full w/ the door or I would have swung at him, so I got up and booted him!! I was so mad!!! Right after I booted him he went and dined on the scraps I brought out w/ me and I did their water. Nice of him to reward himself after jumping on me!! That's the first time he's ever made contact and I do this same routine every single night and every morning!

 

[kellysmall87]

Oh dear... I hope he calms down soon. My cockerel used to be so gentle but it must be an adolescent thing. I always wear jeans and boot when going out to him so he doesnt scratch my legs.

 

[SSAcres]

I hope so, too. I do wonder if he's at the age where his hormones are raging and trying to establish dominance w/ every female he's in contact w/. He doesn't do this to my SO, just me!! Makes me feel special. haha, NOT!!! I'm afraid to wear shorts around him, course it's not quite warm enough yet for that. He knows I'm not afraid of him and he's only 6 1/2 months old. I fear it'll get worse as he gets older and heavier. He's already huge.

 

[appps]

Mine started that so trained him not to (there's a thread I started with info). We carry him round everytime he misbehaves and its pretty much stopped him, the worst I get is him doing a rush forward but carrying him nips it in the bud again. I think he knows he is below us on the pecking order.

The kids however can't catch him to hold if he goes them so are fair game if he thinks they have something he wants or they get too close to the girls. I don't let him out around them anymore.

 

[SSAcres]

Thanks appps. I read the thread you started and wow. That's so great your little Ed is behaving himself. After I read that I started threatening Bob w/ picking him and carrying him around. He's actually left me alone ever since then. Prior to that he'd actually flown up at me and pecked me in the leg. He got in trouble bad for that. Oh and he's also started joining in when distribute treats to all the girls. I got him to take a grape from me. He's usually far from the chaos and hangs back waiting for them to get done. He's funny. I will carry him around if need be though. Thanks for sharing and continued success w/ Ed and your girls. He is a cute little guy.

 

[appps]

Glad to hear its working!!

 

[SSAcres]

Thanks. We'll see how long it lasts.