My cockerel has taken a dislike to my one year old!

[aart]

Get rid of the cockerel ASAP. He's learned to see humans as part of the flock. He may respect you, but he won't give that respect to the child. She's too little to understand how to be dominant. Pretty soon, he'll have spurs and he could end up causing serious injury.

This is key, it's more about the humans behaviors than the birds behaviors.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Usually I keep my flock in a run in the back garden. For the first time today we let them free range in the garden but the cockerel (7 months) seems to have got it in for my daughter who's 17 months! Twice today he has run at her and pecked and pulled at her clothes. She wasn't being overly noisey or doing anything to make him defend the hens, in fact the second time she was no where near but he went for her from the other side of the garden.
Anyone know what the issue could be or how to handle this? My main priority is of course the safety of my child but I'll dispatch my cockerel only as a last resort. Suggestions?

Last resort? So you are going to wait until he injures your child?

Eat him

Gary

 

[CJsCoop]

We had to rehome our first roo, because he started targeting my 3 year old son. Then we let a breeder we know pick our next one. It worked out perfectly! She picked Cooper (FBCM) because his father was her best rooster (well mannered with people and great with the ladies). Cooper was fairly low in her bachelor pad’s pecking order, but he was able to take charge of the girls just fine. He always moves out of our way, and has never shown any signs of aggression towards people. I adore him!
I agree with others, there’s no room for mean Roos when kids are involved!!!

 

[Folly's place]

Placing him elsewhere with full disclosure may not protect you if he injures someone, especially a small child, at his new place. It's about liabilities, and responsible livestock management. And as a person who breeds chickens, he wouldn't sire any offspring here!
Mary

 

[bobbi-j]

If you can’t bear the thought of him becoming a meal, just advertise him as a give away (with full disclosure) and then don’t ask questions. If you’re worried about what may become of him, kill him yourself and plant him under a rose bush.

 

[junebuggena]

Thanks everyone. I totally agree that's she's too young to show him she's dominant. I think you're right, it's not worth the risk.
For my information, is there something I could have done differently to stop him being like this in the first place or is this just his personality?

It could be his personality. Or it could just be hormones and no mature adults around to put him in his place and keep him there. The only time I've ever had a human aggressive rooster was when my first batch of chicks grew up. There was a miss-sexed cockerel in the bunch. He grew up with only same-age pullets. Having a few grouchy older ladies around with the next batch of chicks, the following year, made a huge difference in the boys' behavior.
It could also be that you unknowingly encouraged domineering behaviors, mistaking them for friendliness. A lot of people think it's sweet when their cockerels jump up on the lap or shoulder. The reality is, it's a display of power.

 

[aart]

It could also be that you unknowingly encouraged domineering behaviors, mistaking them for friendliness. A lot of people think it's sweet when their cockerels jump up on the lap or shoulder. The reality is, it's a display of power.

Ditto Dat^^^

For my information, is there something I could have done differently to stop him being like this in the first place or is this just his personality?

Maybe, quote see above....BUT...
... Each person who interacts with the bird needs to form the relationship where the bird knows who is a threat and who is not. Here are many stories about human aggressive birds that attack only certain humans in contact with them.

 

[Ohmyheart]

If you're still trying to rehome him, CL is good and you might also find some FB groups for your area. I was able to rehome 6 roosters on Fb. They weren't aggressive I just have crappy luck getting roos and live in town.

 

[RWise]

A good rooster can be found for cheap, as the others have said CULL him now! If you were close to Tulsa I could give you one, watch CL as they come up free to $5 or so, depends on what you want.
The child will most likely enjoy a plate of rooster and dumplings! Let her get the last peck/bite.