Backyard Poultry Forum

I am having a bit of trouble pen training my silkie cockerel. He is a sweet boy, and never gives me any problems as far as aggression etc goes, I have been keeping him in a large cage type pen for the past month to get him used to being in a cage, and he gets out regularly. However, when I put my hand into the pen he doesn't like my hand around his head and will peck me sometimes quite hard when I put it there. He stands well, comes to the front of the cage and lets me pick him up with no problems, it's just this pecking when I put my hand to his face, he will also peck at the stick, in fact gets pretty angry with it. His first show is in a few weeks time and I am worried that he will do the same thing to the judge. Any suggestions I would be very grateful for. Thank you!

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Enjoy life - think of all the people who missed out on desert on the Titanic because they were on a diet!

what would happen if you just left the stick in hte cage for a while, so he could get used to it and not see it as something to be aggressive towards?

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Anconas, Silkies and Pekins Caladenia Cottage
Silkies
Wonderful Silkies

Have you tried the open hand, palm up, approach from below (not above) his head?
That is the way a judge should approach if they examine him in the pen.

I am so sorry, I only just saw these replies! I wasn't being rude and ignoring everyone. Said cockerel has now gone to a breeding home, thanks for your time and apologies again!

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Enjoy life - think of all the people who missed out on desert on the Titanic because they were on a diet!