4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[beingmaisie]

We just took our cockerel to a nearby farm to let them re-home him as he was beoming violent. They put him in a pen and within 5 minutes he was attacked by the other inhabitants and badly bleeding. We made the decision to bring him home, couldnt see him hurt, so now we have an injured cockerel, the farm did put some wound powder on it for us and were quite apologetic i guess we have to keep an eye on him now, any ideas?

[Patricia W]

How awful! I would bring him inside, keep him warm until you're sure he's over the shock. They are pretty tough, but I wouldn't put him back with the others till his wounds have healed. I'd also get some purple spray so that when you do put him back, any residual redness doesn't attract the others to peck him.

 

Poor boy- what will you do with him now?

 

Tricia

[Jools]

That was nice of them to offer to re-home him, but it wasn't the best idea in the world to put him straight in with other birds. Poor fella, I hope he feels better soon. They are quite resiliant, but as Patricia advises, it's best to wait til his wounds have healed before he rejoins his old gang, though it is a good idea that you put him somewhere they can see and hear him so that the reintroductions go a smoothly as possible. Chickens have alarmingly short memories!

[Patricia W]

When my cockerel was in solitary because he was ill, it was very sweet to see the " ladies" all standing by the run so they could croon to each other through the bars!

 

What was the farm proposing to do with him? Ideally, they would have had a hareem of ladies for him to lead - cockerel bliss. To expect he could go back with a load of other cockerels is a bit naive I think.

 

I hope you find a happy ending for him

 

Tricia

[Jools]

Me too Tricia - early in my chicken keeping career, I had to deal with the aftermath of a father and son fighting to the death. The victor was so close to death, I asked my hubby to put him out of his misery, but he wouldn't do it. We made him comfy in the conservatory and expected to find him dead in the morning. Wrong! He was so depressed though .... until we brought one of his wives in to chat to him. His eyes were swollen and closed, his head was just one big bloody mess, but he called her over, it was so sweet. Never underestimate the importance of relationships for chickens lol.

[beingmaisie]

the thing is that it was 2 hens that attacked him. Poor thing was quite subdued for a bit but soon bucked up and was eating okay by the evening.

Hubby never wanted him to go in the first place but then he does not attack either him or my son, typical. I guess we will keep him now and ill have to try to lose my fear of him launching himself at me every time i go near the hens or eggs

[Patricia W]

Wow! Stroppy madams!

 

If you are scared of him launching at you, try getting him to associate you with treats.

 

It may sound stupid, but you may be giving out aggressive vibes to him so he'll automatically attack you to protect his girls. So if you carry a stick or otherwise arm yourself with something to protect yourself, or raise your voice he may see that as aggressive.

 

My friend is scared of mine but I noticed her voice changes when she sees him and she picks up the watering can in a threatning way. I persuaded her to talk " nicely" to him and give him mealworms - and he changed completely to her. I also make mine submit to me from time to time - which also helps.

 

Hope it works out.

 

Tricia

[beingmaisie]

Thats interesting Patricia,

I have always had a good relationship with him until about 6 weeks ago. He always jumped on my lap if i sit in the garden and got treats for doing so. So i have wondered if his flying at me is just his way of saying 'sit down' so he can sit on my lap. Maybe i have been misjudging him. I just felt freaked when he came up behind me and surprised me.

He has been different since his ordeal though and hasnt bothered me since.

thanks for your help though

 

Gill