Need help (again) w/Cockerel

[HeatherKellyB]

Hello! I've posted about my Buff Orpington Cockerel before as he has pretty much lived his entire 8 weeks on a very thin line. I've come so incredibly close to getting rid of him/sending him to someone's freezer but I am such a weakling! He has always been overly dominant with his flockmates (5 pullets) and will attempt to fight my 13 week old Cockerels any time he is given the chance (but he screams like each feather & limb is being pulled off slowly for maximum pain, if they even lightly peck him back). The 3 older cockerels are separated from the six 8 week old chicks. I tried to put "Charlie" (the only 8 week old Cockerel) with them, the head cockerel started to do "the dance" for him & Charlie dismissed his advances and attempted to start a fight & then run from the other 2 older cockerels. When they started to go after him, he started screeching and screaming like he was being traumatized (before they even got to him). My concern is that Charlie has now started to mate with his 5 flockmates. They'll be 9 weeks old next Wednesday. He grabs the girls by their neck feathers and while they're screaming and trying to get away, he tries to mount them. Does this sound like the behavior of a cockerel that is going to always be a problem? I really like the bachelor flocks head cockerel and have considered keeping everyone unless they prove to be dangerous jerks. Charlie's behavior does not seem like what I need or want in a flock member. His advanced puberty is concerning. I was able to get him to stop pecking at my hand anytime I tried to pick one of them up. I didn't have/haven't had these issues with the other 3 cockerels. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you for your time and any advice you can offer. I sincerely appreciate every one of you

 

[Beccazon]

So...why is it that you are keeping him first off. Clearly he is a problem and starting that behavior early does not bode well for the future. And clearly he is a problem for your young pullets, again far too early. There are other means of ridding your yard of him...rehome, sell, donate. Some areas will take them to process for food banks or needy or soup kitchens. Ask at your TSC or co-op or farm feed store for people in the area who might have need of a cockerel or where to donate or simply have processed so you don't have to deal with the weakling issue

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Honestly, because I am just weak (won't call it tender hearted because that doesn't make sense in a situation like this) and I wanted to give him a chance at living. With his proven behavior, he's not going to work out with my girls or with the other cockerels, is he? I need to stop humanizing this and think about the stress he is creating for all, probably including himself.
My same issues apply with the other 3 cockerels but my daughter (7 years old) is really bonded with one of them, and I am growing quite fond of the head cockerel (he seems to be in love with the pullets). The last one in their bachelor Flock has always been a few steps behind everyone else. Health wise he is fine, but he doesn't act like he would be able to handle having his own flock. He is extremely dependent on the head cockerel.
I've had someone interested in all of them, but knowing they're headed for a freezer makes it difficult on this weak woman.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I had a cockerel that was just about the same. He was young and horny and mean. I dropped him off with an established flock and the dominant roo taught him (1/2 his size) a few of life's lessons that I was not able to. He cried like a little girl... it was so sad. BUT, he came home and was super nice to the girls after that. Danced, shared... handsome and awesome. If he hurt my girls any further it would have been curtains by adoption. craigslist is awesome for finding a home.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Honestly, because I am just weak (won't call it tender hearted because that doesn't make sense in a situation like this) and I wanted to give him a chance at living. With his proven behavior, he's not going to work out with my girls or with the other cockerels, is he? I need to stop humanizing this and think about the stress he is creating for all, probably including himself.
My same issues apply with the other 3 cockerels but my daughter (7 years old) is really bonded with one of them, and I am growing quite fond of the head cockerel (he seems to be in love with the pullets). The last one in their bachelor Flock has always been a few steps behind everyone else. Health wise he is fine, but he doesn't act like he would be able to handle having his own flock. He is extremely dependent on the head cockerel.
I've had someone interested in all of them, but knowing they're headed for a freezer makes it difficult on this weak woman.

Maybe you should think about keeping the head and the one who is attached to him if you have enough hens to handle.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I have 5 pullets and 4 cockerels. I had plans to get rid of the 4 cockerels, but here I am. I can't get anymore (of course I want more but I can't) pullets or cockerels. All 4 cockerels were meant to be pullets. This is all new to me and I've gotten myself in over my head, I'm afraid

 

[TropicalBabies]

I have 5 pullets and 4 cockerels. I had plans to get rid of the 4 cockerels, but here I am. I can't get anymore (of course I want more but I can't) pullets or cockerels. All 4 cockerels were meant to be pullets. This is all new to me and I've gotten myself in over my head, I'm afraid

Try craigslist. Take some nice photos, find a good home for all cockerels... it will be ok. You did your best.

 

[MomJones]

That boy needs to go to Freezer Camp. No good will come from keeping him.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you for your time and advice. I really appreciate you

 

[Mrs. K]

Truthfully he is ruining the whole chicken experience for you. Sometimes I think people with great sensibilities should not get chickens. Wishing won't make any of them nice. People that really love animals can have a very difficult time if a bird does not work out, they even feel guilty, as if it was something they did wrong. It is not. Some birds fit, some do not, once you remove him, you, your kids, and your pullets are going to enjoy this so much more. Once you solve for peace in the flock you will wonder why it took you so long.

Roosters take a great deal of experience. I would not be surprised if the other darling roosters turn mean also in a few weeks. It is difficult for first time people to recognize what rooster behavior means. IMO it is difficult to raise a good rooster in a flock mate flock. They out grow the pullets and are sexually interested long before the girls and generally become bullies.

Try this idea, instead of pets, keep a flock, with the idea that birds move into the flock and out of the flock for the best and peace of the flock. Not every bird will work in your particular flock, even if they were raised together, or are nice as chicks, or get to free range.

IMO cull all the roosters. Wait a year, if then you really want a rooster, look around and find a year old rooster that has been raised in a multi-generational flock. The older hens and possible rooster will school this rooster and raise him up polite in chicken society. People have a hard time doing this as they do not live 24/7 in the coop.

An all hen flock is very nice. And remember, you have tried to give him a good life, just either give him away, or give him one quick difficult moment and solve the problem. If you don't want to eat them, plant a rose bush.

Mrs K