Murderous cockerel

[Studabird]

I have a small flock of 12 birds. 10 he s and 2 cockerels. They have all been together since day one. Last night one of the cockerels (4 months old) attacked one of the pullets. He had her penned down and was literally ripping the skin off her head. She was perfectly healthy. I have since separated her and she is recovering. What would have caused this and what should I do with the cockerel? He is not aggressive towards me, he will eat out of my hand and besides crowing incessantly has no bad habits until this happened

 

[Araucana Nest]

Some cockerels are very aggressive and shouldn't be allowed to continue with a flock. I've had Crested Cream Legbar cockerels be incredibly aggressive with pullets at that age. An acquaintance told me her CCL cockerel killed the pullets. Separate him. Next time it could be worse.

 

[The Happster]

I have a small flock of 12 birds. 10 he s and 2 cockerels. They have all been together since day one. Last night one of the cockerels (4 months old) attacked one of the pullets. He had her penned down and was literally ripping the skin off her head. She was perfectly healthy. I have since separated her and she is recovering. What would have caused this and what should I do with the cockerel? He is not aggressive towards me, he will eat out of my hand and besides crowing incessantly has no bad habits until this happened

He's trying to mate.
Separate him. He can and will do damage.
If you want to keep him, pen him separately until he calms down a bit.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

There are so many sweet roosters in this world. If I had one who was rough with the ladies, I would separate him and try later after his hormones have subsided. If he continues with his evil ways, then its off to freezer camp for him.

 

[aart]

Last night one of the cockerels (4 months old)

Prime hormone time.
Separate or eat him.

 

[Studabird]

Thank you all for your help! He has been separated into his own bachelor pad.

 

[Folly's place]

This behavior is beyond what's acceptable, whatever his age! I'm glad he's been removed form your pullets, and he should be invited to dinner, not returned to the flock, or allowed to reproduce.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

And it's great that you saw it all happen, so there's no question about what happened to this pullet.
Mary

 

[Lovesumchicks]

I so agree with everyone else a rooster that aggressive will only do it again. My 1 year old cuckoo maran rooster is so docile he loves little chicks and young pullets. Never once has he tried to hurt anyone if any thing he is very welcoming.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am also concerned about your other two statements. That you feed him by hand, which means that he is not afraid of you and has no respect for you. In my experience, this bird will become human aggressive with a bit more time. Also the incessant crowing when you are present is another indicator of oncoming aggression.

As for now, I would also pull the second cockerel, and keep them both separate from the pullets, adding back one later on when the all the pullets are laying.

Do be aware that roosters are a crap shoot, maybe the second rooster would turn out, but maybe he won't. Be aware around roosters, and if you need to, don't keep either, try again. Roosters are easy to come by.

MRs K