Springtime Aggression in Pekin Bantam Rooster?

[ilovemeducks]

I have a gorgeous little Pekin Bantam Rooster who, I think, is about 1year to 18 months old (I rehomed him so cannot be 100% sure).
He is usually very friendly, sitting on my lap for cuddles, sleeping as I hold him, very friendly with the other ducks. I have no other chickens but he was hatched alongside a little Call Duck and they are inseparable.

Over the past couple of weeks he has been flying at my feet but calms once I scoop him up for a cuddle. Today, he has been attacking a large, female duck that we have. She is never aggressive and although not the instigator in these fights is standing her ground and fighting back. I removed him from the rest of the ducks for 3 hours and he started on her again as soon as I let him out.

Is this just because it is Spring and he have no other males in our small flock (6 - 1 rooster and 5 ducks) or could it be because he is maturing and wants to show that he is in charge? Is there anything I can do to restore harmony to the group? The rooster has his own house that he sleeps in but it is within the enclosed compound where all the ducks sleep at night.

Hope someone can help me.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He's hormonal and probably sexually frustrated. He probably would prefer some chicken hens to ducks. My bantam Cochin roosters (pekins) get pretty full of themselves in spring with hormones surging.

 

[ilovemeducks]

He's hormonal and probably sexually frustrated. He probably would prefer some chicken hens to ducks. My bantam Cochin roosters (pekins) get pretty full of themselves in spring with hormones surging.

Do they calm down again after the spring? I am keeping him separated from the ducks at the moment just to be on the safe side.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine usually do. They are definitely more spunky than larger roosters. The increasing light of spring ramps up their hormones. Generally after the summer solstice when light begins to decrease, and heat raised they calm down a bit. They also mellow with age. So each spring they should be a bit less trouble than the spring before.

 

[ilovemeducks]

You have given me hope. He is such a lovable little rooster, I need to give him every chance before I rehome him. Although separated from the ducks, he can see them and he does seem calmer. I will see how he goes after a month or so. Otherwise, I'll put him in a big envelope and post him to you . Thanks for your help.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your welcome. I will keep my eyes open for a wiggling envelope full of trouble.

 

[ilovemeducks]

Your welcome. I will keep my eyes open for a wiggling envelope full of trouble.

I just wanted to thank you for your advice. Woody has been separated from the ducks for almost three weeks now. Initially, we would put him in with the ducks for half an hour or so as long as at least one of us was there. If he started to chase or get overly aggressive, we would return him to outside the enclosure. Now, we are able to leave him unattended with the ducks during the day. He has a large, separate pen within their enclosure in which to sleep and he goes in there quite happily at dusk when I lock them all up. In the morning, he can be a little crazy, so I take him out of the enclosure for half an hour to an hour and then return him when I go in to clean the pen. By then he has usually calmed enough to be left alone with his friends. He is also separated when we go out, just in case.

I am going to keep this up for another three to four weeks, just to be sure.

I really can't thank you enough. I really did not want to get rid of him as he is such an affectionate rooster and he is completely besotted with his Call Duck friend.

I has been much easier than I expected and it has actually resulted in him becoming even more affectionate with me. So......, thank you for your great advice. x

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm glad it's working out for you. I love my bantam Cochin roosters and their goofy antics too.