Need advice on when to cull a cockeral

[manicfarmer]

I have a barred rock that is a bit of a bully. I guess he is just trying to make his way to the top of the pecking order. My real issue is his level of aggression. My birds free range during the day and I found a dead white rock (he was at the top of the pecking order) yesterday. I have about 50 birds so I think he was dead in the pasture for a couple days and I didn't notice until he started smelling.

Yesterday when I got home from work, the largest cockerel (he was the #2 in the flock from what I have seen) was trying to bury his head head under my baby chicks coop (they stay locked up unless I am at home to watch them free range with the larger birds). He seemed like he was utterly ashamed. I thought he was dead at first because he paid me no mind when I touched him. I had to pick him up and carry him over to the coop with the other birds. He was panting very heavily. 30 minutes later it became clear what he was scared of. THe barred rock chased him around the pasture and cornered him and the big bird stuck his head through the fence and held it to the ground. THe barred rock stayed there assuring he wouldn't pick his head up. Since the #1 bird is now dead (could have been a predator but given that we have had 0 issues with predators to this point I am leaning towards this barred rock as the murderer. I find it too much of a coincidence that my two top cockerels have been targeted.

I removed him from the flock last night because I plan on culling my large cockerels this weekend (Red Rangers that are 12 weeks of age) and I fear he will kill one or more before that time. I was curious if the experts on here think my assessment is reasonable? Is he more than likely the culprit. He is really rough with the girls too but that may be because they are so young that they don't know how to comply with his request. I got him from McMurray and from what I have read there is a history of a mean strain of barred rocks at that hatchery. I hate to cull this bird so early but I don't know what else to do. I wanted to wait until 16-20 week range so he could develop more into a meat bird but I think he is going to end up hurting more birds before I can cull them for meat. Is this a good course of action to assure that my meat reserve is met or am I being an over protective flockster? I appreciate all the great feedback I get from this forum.

 

[countrygirl345]

You know what they say, better safe than sorry. I would just cull the bird if I were you and save a lot of trouble, and possibly the lives of the other chickens. As roosters grow, they only become more aggressive. Also, you didn't mention if he has attacked you or not. If he has, then definitely cull him, as he will only get worse and more dangerous.

 

[Ridgerunner]

With your set-up I agree to remove him now. I don’t know how old he is, probably around 4 months, but when cockerels spar it’s normal for the loser to run away. The winning cockerel normally will chase a bit but with your set-up that chase is usually fairly short-lived. If the loser can’t get away, gets trapped in a corner of against a fence, the winner doesn’t know he won and keeps attacking. He will normally go for the head so the loser tries to hide his head. This is why space is so important in this situation. From your post, you have a lot of room. Space is not an issue.

If a cockerel is seriously injured the situation changes. The winner and maybe even other birds will mercilessly try to kill that injured cockerel. They have the advantage and are going to remove a rival. Even mature hens may join in. That may be what happened to your first dead bird, maybe not.

I want a cockerel to have enough self-confidence to impose his will on the others. I think that makes it easier for him to become a good flock master, keeping the flock peaceful by breaking up fights and the hens respect him enough to willingly mate with him and listen to him when he warns of danger. He doesn’t have to resort to trickery or brute force to fertilize eggs. Adolescence can be rough but once you are through that phase it should make for a more peaceful flock.

But by not knowing when he has won and hunting down the other cockerel and pinning him down, I think he has crossed the line into being a brute. Eat him now. You don’t want those genetics passed on to future generations.

 

[aart]

Unwanted cockerels are best harvested before 4 months of age, IMO.... you can still put them on the grill instead of in the stew pot.
13 weeks old.... nope, not much meat but was delicious, especially the crispy skin...and the bones still made a great broth/stock.

 

[manicfarmer]

You know what they say, better safe than sorry. I would just cull the bird if I were you and save a lot of trouble, and possibly the lives of the other chickens. As roosters grow, they only become more aggressive. Also, you didn't mention if he has attacked you or not. If he has, then definitely cull him, as he will only get worse and more dangerous.

He has never attacked me. I am constantly correcting against his aggressive behavior which is probably useless but I think it has made him have a healthy respect for me. If he is messing with one of the other cockerels I just let it be but when he is mean to one of the pullets he is getting a correction. I typically just chase him down calmly so the flock doesn't get concerned and corner him and give him a nice little neck pinch, kind of like they do to each other. Most of the time the other cockerels help me out and corner him with me. lol He hasn't made many friends in the coop.

 

[manicfarmer]

With your set-up I agree to remove him now. I don’t know how old he is, probably around 4 months, but when cockerels spar it’s normal for the loser to run away. The winning cockerel normally will chase a bit but with your set-up that chase is usually fairly short-lived. If the loser can’t get away, gets trapped in a corner of against a fence, the winner doesn’t know he won and keeps attacking. He will normally go for the head so the loser tries to hide his head. This is why space is so important in this situation. From your post, you have a lot of room. Space is not an issue.

If a cockerel is seriously injured the situation changes. The winner and maybe even other birds will mercilessly try to kill that injured cockerel. They have the advantage and are going to remove a rival. Even mature hens may join in. That may be what happened to your first dead bird, maybe not.

I want a cockerel to have enough self-confidence to impose his will on the others. I think that makes it easier for him to become a good flock master, keeping the flock peaceful by breaking up fights and the hens respect him enough to willingly mate with him and listen to him when he warns of danger. He doesn’t have to resort to trickery or brute force to fertilize eggs. Adolescence can be rough but once you are through that phase it should make for a more peaceful flock.

But by not knowing when he has won and hunting down the other cockerel and pinning him down, I think he has crossed the line into being a brute. Eat him now. You don’t want those genetics passed on to future generations.

He is actually only 12 weeks old today. Thanks for the feedback on the behavior of the cockerels. That is clearly what was happening. The larger bird was protecting his head at all costs. He completely submitted which usually he will peck anyone and they move out of his way. One thing I do know, that white rock that is gone would not have submitted to that bird. I have seen the BR sneak up on him and take a big bite out of his neck and hold on. When the White rock broke free the chase was on. He would then run away like a coward. He can outrun any bird in the flock so he always gets away. Overall things have been fairly balanced considering the number of birds and the fact that this is my first exposure to any chickens. I am learning as I go but look forward to getting through the adolescence phase.

 

[manicfarmer]

Unwanted cockerels are best harvested before 4 months of age, IMO.... you can still put them on the grill instead of in the stew pot.
13 weeks old.... nope, not much meat but was delicious, especially the crispy skin...and the bones still made a great broth/stock.

Yeah, this guy is only twelve weeks. He definitely isn't going to be very meaty. If he is that meaty I will surely throw him on the pit. If he is too skinny I figured I would just try him out in the new pressure cooker and make brother. I have read you can freeze the broth in ice trays, that sounds like a really cool idea. That is one tasty looking bird!