Kitchen Garden Forum

Don't believe the books when they say ' given enough room, Sussex cockerels will tolerate each other'! My two lovely cockerels (brothers from last year's hatch) fought bitterly the other day. They looked like they'd been re-enacting a video nasty - both drenched in blood! However, a shower and blow dry later (which they loved) they scrubbed up lovely! Therefore, I have to get rid of one of my boys, much to my dismay because I love them both.

So, free to a good home, one Sussex Light cockerel. 7 months old. He really is beautiful, like something you'd see in a show, so would be great to breed from. He's been brought up free-range, so if you can provide the same, all the better. He's a bit timid and doesn't like to be picked up, but is hoping for a friendly owner and the prospect of his own flock to manage. Not many people are interested in cockerels, but if you are, then post a reply asap as I hope to find him a home this weekend. I'm in the Abergavenny area. Thanks.

Quatro

Just so you don't think you're being ignored

Cockerels are unpredictable. I have two who co-exist quite reasonably - and a third which doesn't, and has to be kept separately. In the past I have found that cockerels from the same hatch are more inclined to fight - to establish superiority.

I hate to suggest this - but I have solved the problem in the past by eating one of them

Sorry if I have offended. Hope you find a good home/solution.

Alan

Thanks for the reply Alan. I must admit, I didn't think there would be much interest in the cockerel. Even at an auction I went to the other day, beautiful, fully grown cocks were going for as little as 50p!

Yes, if I intend to breed further with my chicks, then I have to come to terms with the idea of growing surplus males for the pot. It's just with this one, he's from the first ever hatch from my chicks and I've looked after him and his brother very carefully - so much so that his brother is more than happy to be picked up and stroked, which is very rewarding.

I have a couple of options left, but ultimately he can go to the breeder where I bought my first chicks. However, I really would like him to go to a home where he could live a good life, with his own flock.

Thanks again for the reply and support.

Best wishes,

Quatro

Quatro

I fully appreciate your feelings. I remember my first hatch. I do hope you find a home for your "spare" fellow - feed all day, sex every morning
The problem with hatching/breeding is getting too attached to birds and/or naming them. I would never eat my Gwynfor Bach, Gwynfor Du or Gwynhoedl for that reason. With cocks I am bound to eat I have tended, when people ask their names, to say they're called Cinio Dydd Sul - Sunday Dinner

Ello Quatro. DON'T eat him, please!! I hope you find him a lovely home. I don't know much about keeping chickens but might they not tolerate each other, once they have sorted out the "pecking order"? Or will they just carry on fighting? Cheers Elaine.

Thanks Elaine. I certainly wont eat him. I couldn't bear to. Neither do I want him to go to someone who will!

I'm afraid there is no doubt whatsoever that they will continue to fight if they had the chance to get at each other. They spend some time each day stalking each other either side of the garden fence that separates them! I am certain death or serious injury would occur if they get close!

It also grieves me that the chap who is destined for a new home grows more magnificent day by day. I have one more option before I take him to a breeder. I will let all know the outcome.

However, the local farmer's dog has appeared on the scene again - I lost three of my flock to his previous dog - so it's possible I could be down in numbers very soon if he doesn't keep his dog in order, which I am certain he is not capable of! Before anyone asks, I have already reasoned with him on the matter and got blank looks! Watch this space.

Thanks for your reply.

Quatro

Dog owners have an obligation under UK law to keep their dog under control.
A dog is classed under livestock as an animal that can be controlled, unlike a cat.

So if the dog is an issue use the council dog warden, or if they do not have such a service then the police.

Thank you very much Peter. That indeed was going to be my next question to the forum 'where do I stand legally as regards the dog in question'. Now I know, I shall put your information into action should reasoning not have any effect. The problem is, will one or more of my chicks die before the matter is resolved? I do not believe the farmer in question is capable of taking action on a long term basis. Anyway, one more word in his ear and hope for the best.

Thanks again for your advice, Peter.

Quatro

Hi Quatro,
There is also a law which says that an owner has a duty of care to protect his stock. If this is met and a dog then attacks your stock you have a strong case but if you are not protecting your stock the bottom falls out of your case.
JB.

JB, surely the simple fact is that the dog should not be on another persons property?
Dog owners are responsible for their dogs actions and I seem to recall various incidents of sheep farmers shooting dogs wandering their fields. Seeing as Quatro has spoken to the owner about the problem then in legal terms a warning has been given and the dog owner is now aware, so should take steps to prevent re-occurrance.
Now protection of stock is interesting, dog-proof?
Dogs can easily scale most fences or burrow underneath if inclined, a dog-proof hen run would be a cage with buried L of wire.
I used to keep hens and two dogs, the bitch was fine, the dog used to watch the hens through the wire with interest, he only went in the once when I was carrying a hen prior to taking it to the vet and the sight of owner with a fluttering flapping hen dangling from one hand was just too much.
BTW beautiful photo of him hen-watching.

I wish you luck in finding a home for the cockerel - wish I could say I would take him, but from South Wales to Milton Keynes isn't exactly very feasible...

peter wrote:I seem to recall various incidents of sheep farmers shooting dogs wandering their fields.

For that very reason, in this sheep-farming area, dogs are never seen wandering. Thank goodness.

Thanks Johnboy, I take your point. It's best to be forewarned of these matters. Cheers.

My chicks are free range and that has always been the way I wanted to keep chicks. They do not wander onto the farmer's land however and stay around where I live. It is the farmer's dog that is coming onto my 'land' as it were. I think he has a duty to keep the dog under control. If a dog was killing his lambs in the field, he would be out there with a gun. I don't think I am being unreasonable in asking him to keep his dog away from vulnerable stock and I certainly don't want to pen my chicks up, because he is incapable of bringing a perfectly reasonable solution into effect. Anyway, I'm hoping for the best.

As for dogs never being loose in sheep farming land, there are dogs galore off the leash around here. I even know one dog owner who seems to get pleasure from seeing his dog chasing sheep around the field. But there are words to describe such dog owners!

Thanks for your comments and support all. I really appreciate it.

Hi Quatro,
I do not want to be seen as labouring the point but a farmer having sheep has them in an enclosed area for their protection. If a dog breaches that protection the farmer has a perfect right to take the action he deems necessary.
There is free range and free range so how secure are your hens?
If you have contained them so that they cannot escape and a dog breaches your enclosure then you are free to take the same action as the farmer.
Like Alan I live in sheep country and a loose dog is quite a rarity.
If you have taken all necessary precautions against invasion by dogs then your case is very strong. If not you will be on to a loser.
If the dog actually kills one of your chickens send the farmer an invoice and if he refuses to pay consult a solicitor. Do not go to war on your own. You would have the same entitlement as the farmer and you would be within your rights to shoot the dog. You do not sound like a person who would even own a gun so probably that option is a no-no.
Several years ago I had £800.00. worth of damage done to a car by some escaped bullocks but because the gates to my property were left open I actually lost the day in court.
JB.

Thanks Johnboy. There's not much I can do about it then. I rent a cottage on the grounds of an old country house. The entrances to the grounds are not enclosed by a fence or gate and it would not be my place to erect such things - apart from the cost. So it seems I will have to rely on the co-operation of the farmer. Either that or keep my chicks in my back garden which is a small space and against my whole idea of keeping them free range. But as I say, I'm hoping for the best and I've not lost a chick to the dog....yet.

Cheers

Quatro