Widgeon
Well-Known Member
Some of you may remember that a while back I posted about scrapping between our six hens - they'd all ganged up on one and were bullying her and pecking her feathers out. Many thanks to all the people who offered advice - with the help of a dog crate (!) and some patience we did eventually get all six settled down. Here's the thread.
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...g-driving-me-to-despair.796271/#post-14430709
Anyway, a couple of people suggested acquiring a cockerel as a way to settle the hens. We didn't need to in the end, but a neighbour has just hatched four Buff Orpington eggs and they were all boys! They're keeping the biggest and noisiest, but the other three are homeless and destined for the Sunday lunch table - neighbour is sad at the thought of eating all three given the care and attention spent on them so far.
I've said we'd consider taking one - I had thought we'd take the smallest as our hens are all medium / large size, and BOs are enormous and I don't want any squashed hen incidents. I believe they are a few months old, she says they're not particularly talkative (except the noisy one that they're keeping as a fox alarm) and are friendly.
So tell me, is this a silly idea? Our hens are all quite flighty still and I would like them to settle down and relax - maybe a cockerel would achieve this? Or will he turn into a raging aggressive sex pest?
Please give me your opinions, particularly if you've done a similar thing. The birds all live in a fully fenced run, about the size of a small room, with attached shed (walk in) as we have foxes.
Thank you!
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...g-driving-me-to-despair.796271/#post-14430709
Anyway, a couple of people suggested acquiring a cockerel as a way to settle the hens. We didn't need to in the end, but a neighbour has just hatched four Buff Orpington eggs and they were all boys! They're keeping the biggest and noisiest, but the other three are homeless and destined for the Sunday lunch table - neighbour is sad at the thought of eating all three given the care and attention spent on them so far.
I've said we'd consider taking one - I had thought we'd take the smallest as our hens are all medium / large size, and BOs are enormous and I don't want any squashed hen incidents. I believe they are a few months old, she says they're not particularly talkative (except the noisy one that they're keeping as a fox alarm) and are friendly.
So tell me, is this a silly idea? Our hens are all quite flighty still and I would like them to settle down and relax - maybe a cockerel would achieve this? Or will he turn into a raging aggressive sex pest?
Please give me your opinions, particularly if you've done a similar thing. The birds all live in a fully fenced run, about the size of a small room, with attached shed (walk in) as we have foxes.
Thank you!