MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, oh dear, a bit of a sad one I'm afraid.
Last year I hatched out a batch of bantams. Two out of the three eggs that did hatch, were blessed cockerels! They've existed quite happily together and go out with my Guinea Fowl flock, we've plenty of room here so they don't bother anyone, and they've been quite useful in chivvying-up the GF's and getting them sorted!
Up till this Spring the two cock-birds existed harmoniously, no fighting or anything like that, the other cockerel just didn't bother challenging the dominant one, but then back in early-Spring the dominant bird started going at people's legs, flying at them and pecking, this happened not only to me but my livery on occasions and also other visitors to my yard (such as the builder).
He also thoroughly dominated the poor dogs by flying at their faces. Even my spitty little terrier had got to the point where he was admitting that he frightened of him, poor little lad - he's always been a brave little dog but is getting older now; and he made Ginger-dog cry when he flew into her face out in the field when I was bringing the Neds in. The dogs had that "whipped" look around the place and were looking around furtively all the time. It's their place and it just wasn't fair!
I was hoping this Bird would grow out of it; rather sadly suspecting that at some point I'd have to make "the decision" about him, but kept deferring the decision.
Then last night, when I went in the pen to pick up the corn-vendor, which I normally do at night so's the rats can't get to it, he was sitting on the perch as normal, but flew at my face. Luckily I wasn't hurt and no blood was brought, but that made my mind up: he had to go. So the deed was done and that was that. End of.
There was no other decision to be made. He was a vicious bird, less than a year old, but a bad'un unfortunately. Yes I appreciate this was "normal" territorial behaviour, but I'm in a situation where I couldn't risk him flying at my livery who quite often wears shorts up to the yard, or her boy. Or anybody else for that matter - my friend brought her partner's kiddies up to the yard to mess around with the horses last week, and I cannot have any creature on the place with the risk of it flying at someone's legs and bringing blood (with the risk of that going septic), or worse still flying at a child's eyes and blinding them.
So that was that.
Tis a huge shame as this was a magnificent bird, he was truly beautiful, and a great pity what had to be done, but there it is........ there was no other option.
Last year I hatched out a batch of bantams. Two out of the three eggs that did hatch, were blessed cockerels! They've existed quite happily together and go out with my Guinea Fowl flock, we've plenty of room here so they don't bother anyone, and they've been quite useful in chivvying-up the GF's and getting them sorted!
Up till this Spring the two cock-birds existed harmoniously, no fighting or anything like that, the other cockerel just didn't bother challenging the dominant one, but then back in early-Spring the dominant bird started going at people's legs, flying at them and pecking, this happened not only to me but my livery on occasions and also other visitors to my yard (such as the builder).
He also thoroughly dominated the poor dogs by flying at their faces. Even my spitty little terrier had got to the point where he was admitting that he frightened of him, poor little lad - he's always been a brave little dog but is getting older now; and he made Ginger-dog cry when he flew into her face out in the field when I was bringing the Neds in. The dogs had that "whipped" look around the place and were looking around furtively all the time. It's their place and it just wasn't fair!
I was hoping this Bird would grow out of it; rather sadly suspecting that at some point I'd have to make "the decision" about him, but kept deferring the decision.
Then last night, when I went in the pen to pick up the corn-vendor, which I normally do at night so's the rats can't get to it, he was sitting on the perch as normal, but flew at my face. Luckily I wasn't hurt and no blood was brought, but that made my mind up: he had to go. So the deed was done and that was that. End of.
There was no other decision to be made. He was a vicious bird, less than a year old, but a bad'un unfortunately. Yes I appreciate this was "normal" territorial behaviour, but I'm in a situation where I couldn't risk him flying at my livery who quite often wears shorts up to the yard, or her boy. Or anybody else for that matter - my friend brought her partner's kiddies up to the yard to mess around with the horses last week, and I cannot have any creature on the place with the risk of it flying at someone's legs and bringing blood (with the risk of that going septic), or worse still flying at a child's eyes and blinding them.
So that was that.
Tis a huge shame as this was a magnificent bird, he was truly beautiful, and a great pity what had to be done, but there it is........ there was no other option.
