two roosters

[Rick589]

I have two cockerels, too many for the number of hens (2 out of 6). I know this is not good nor ideal but this is where we are. Anyway, the alpha boy chases the beta out of the coop in the evening for a while before letting him inside. Nevertheless, after witnessing this behavior I’ll find them roosting side by side with no problem. I’ve also noted that once all of the chickens are in the coop and I come out to check on them the alpha will, at times, come out of the coop and run up to me to square off a bit. Other than these moments the alpha is not aggressive toward myself nor anyone else. Just curious if anyone has any insight into the esoteric thinking of chickens. No, I’m not going to cull one of them.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

As long as there are no serious injuries, let it play out.

If Alpha ever actually attempts to flog you, as opposed to simply puffing up, put him down. The cost of treatment for a deep penetration injury with hoigh secondary infection potential FARexceed the value of a rooster - and that's best case. They are very good at flogging soft tissue areas - ankle, back of knee, middle of calf. None of those injuries heal quickly.

[Go ahead, ask me how I know]

(The 1/10 ratio is for breeding viability purposes, NOT behavior. I maintain a mixed flock, have had more than 80 birds on property at one time. Rossters tend to have a group of 3-6 hens in their orbit. The hens stake out territory, the hens tend to wander from rooster to rooster based atleast in part on the quality of the territory)

 

[Rick589]

As long as there are no serious injuries, let it play out.

If Alpha ever actually attempts to flog you, as opposed to simply puffing up, put him down. The cost of treatment for a deep penetration injury with hoigh secondary infection potential FARexceed the value of a rooster - and that's best case. They are very good at flogging soft tissue areas - ankle, back of knee, middle of calf. None of those injuries heal quickly.

[Go ahead, ask me how I know]

Thank You. It’s interesting to me that this alpha actively stays away from me,yet,during the aforementioned moments he’ll attempt his attack. What I failed to mention is that he can’t get to me because of a fence but he will attempt to peck my boot…once…and then he’ll run off back to the coop. I just find it ‘odd’ that he’ll run the beta off for a while and then suddenly everything is good and they’re roosting next to each other.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank You. It’s interesting to me that this alpha actively stays away from me,yet,during the aforementioned moments he’ll attempt his attack. What I failed to mention is that he can’t get to me because of a fence but he will attempt to peck my boot…once…and then he’ll run off back to the coop. I just find it ‘odd’ that he’ll run the beta off for a while and then suddenly everything is good and they’re roosting next to each other.

If you are in no danger, no worries at all.

I've not figured out the whole boot/shoe pecking thing myself. Only been at this a few years, but my Roos mostly don't do it.

 

[Rick589]

The 1/10 ratio is for breeding viability purposes, NOT behavior. I maintain a mixed flock, have had more than 80 birds on property at one time. Rossters tend to have a group of 3-6 hens in their orbit. The hens stake out territory, the hens tend to wander from rooster to rooster based atleast in part on the quality of the territory)

Interesting that you mention the 1/10 ratio which I constantly hear. Yet, I’ve never heard it mentioned relative to breeding purposes. I bring this up because, given the difficulty of rehoming and my desire not to kill a cockerel, we are considering adding additional hens but We certainly don’t want nor need 22 chickens.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Plenty happy - and there's a third rooster out of frame.
OK, they would be happier if there was more green growing things, to attract more insects, in this picture. But in terms of behavior, its a consistent, if occaisionally uneasy, peace.

 

[Mrs. K]

While most of us keep a rotten rooster far too long the firs time, I can see your hesitation. Thing is, they tend to be opportunists, and the time you have your hands full, or your attention somewhere else, that is when they tend to give it a try. Many times people on here, will tell of him starting an attack from the back, to stop it when people face him. However, that is a short term fix. He will get braver and braver.

IMO rooster behavior is more like waves, it is not (at first) a 100% I hate you. That comes later. It is let my whoop on you, and then you can be my friend...until the next time I decide to whoop on you.

Alphas and Betas - can generally work it out...until the Beta decides to be the Alpha. They can go from nothing is wrong, just being chickens, to a full fledge fight. Some times multiple fights a day, sometimes to death.

So while I can see you are against culling them, do not take the chicken theory to the emergency room. Be especially careful if you have small children as they will attack them first, and often times at the head level.

Good luck, but be aware, you are describing some very poor traits, traits that I would expect to get much worse. I have had chickens for decades.

Adding more hens really does not fix the problem of too many roos. Chickens really need a lot of space, and adding more hens drastically reduces that. You would need a much bigger coop and run. Adding chicks for future number of hens does not fix the too many roosters NOW problem.
Mrs K

 

[U_Stormcrow]

...

So while I can see you are against culling them, do not take the chicken theory to the emergency room. Be especially careful if you have small children as they will attack them first, and often times at the head level.

Good luck, but be aware, you are describing some very poor traits, traits that I would expect to get much worse. I have had chickens for decades.

Adding more hens really does not fix the problem of too many roos. Chickens really need a lot of space, and adding more hens drastically reduces that. You would need a much bigger coop and run. Adding chicks for future number of hens does not fix the too many roosters NOW problem.
Mrs K

I posted this a couple years ago. Nothing I've learned since has changed that view. @Mrs. K said it better.