This past April I purchased two, day old cockerels along with 20 pullets. I wanted this Welsummer and SLW to run my flock, new and existing. After some early maturity aggression I saw toward the pullets, I decided to put them both in their own run to let them mature until Spring, when they’ll turn 1. However, unfortunately they both wanted to be the dom bird which caused a pretty good “beat down” of the one I consider my favorite, the Welsummer. Of course I intervened and removed him from the cockerel run and put him back with the flock. BTW, he wasn’t the one showing mating aggression to begin with and is absolutely wonderful with all the pullets and a couple of my original hens who let him near them. Two of the originals send him packing if he evens thinks about mating them. It is quite humorous to watch, I might add.
Skip ahead about 5 weeks. This seemingly docile cockerel began showing signs of interest in me, which made me start questioning him. He and I had one minor run in, well okay, he flogged me from behind (something I said I’d never tolerate), but he has since kept his distance under my very alert eyes. Over the past week it has escalated, however. He has flogged my grown son and just yesterday morning while I was away he outright attacked my DH. Of course, it turned into the battle of two males and I must report both are still alive. A bit bruised and scratched, but still alive.
As this has always been my biggest concern, after these past few weeks’ increased aggression and this last altercation with my DH, which resulted in a broken rake, my question is whether or not my cockerel is ruined? At just 23 weeks old, if I put him in his own coop and run for the remainder of his first year, could he possibly turn out to be one of those “perfect” roos that I’ve only read about? Or will his most recent run in with the law (of the property) completely ruined my roo? This is one of those situations that comes with actual experience that I’m just now building. If I were to ask myself this same question in two years, I’d be able to tell myself what would be best. However, like most everyone, I want the probable answer now.
I do know everything regarding my newest situation is completely subjective, but as always on BYC I have received the best guidance and advice any new chicken keeper could ask for. I anxiously await your wisdom!
Skip ahead about 5 weeks. This seemingly docile cockerel began showing signs of interest in me, which made me start questioning him. He and I had one minor run in, well okay, he flogged me from behind (something I said I’d never tolerate), but he has since kept his distance under my very alert eyes. Over the past week it has escalated, however. He has flogged my grown son and just yesterday morning while I was away he outright attacked my DH. Of course, it turned into the battle of two males and I must report both are still alive. A bit bruised and scratched, but still alive.
As this has always been my biggest concern, after these past few weeks’ increased aggression and this last altercation with my DH, which resulted in a broken rake, my question is whether or not my cockerel is ruined? At just 23 weeks old, if I put him in his own coop and run for the remainder of his first year, could he possibly turn out to be one of those “perfect” roos that I’ve only read about? Or will his most recent run in with the law (of the property) completely ruined my roo? This is one of those situations that comes with actual experience that I’m just now building. If I were to ask myself this same question in two years, I’d be able to tell myself what would be best. However, like most everyone, I want the probable answer now.
I do know everything regarding my newest situation is completely subjective, but as always on BYC I have received the best guidance and advice any new chicken keeper could ask for. I anxiously await your wisdom!
All of my roosters I walk around without worrying about them.
