18 week old Cockerel jumping on 9 week old chick

[Wyatt0224]

I wouldn't say you're out of the woods yet because the two cockerels haven't been with each other and the hens at the same time for quite some time. This could provide some issues. As soon as the SBEL cockerel starts mating and chasing the pullets that one who made him bleed will stop doing it altogether. I have read on here if you have a weak rooster who won't be the boss of the hens they will peck him and make him bleed.

 

[Shezadandy]

I wouldn't say you're out of the woods yet because the two cockerels haven't been with each other and the hens at the same time for quite some time. This could provide some issues. As soon as the SBEL cockerel starts mating and chasing the pullets that one who made him bleed will stop doing it altogether. I have read on here if you have a weak rooster who won't be the boss of the hens they will peck him and make him bleed.

Definitely not out of the woods! It could wind up that we never accomplish having them both with the hens at the same time, even though they'd each have 9-10 ladies each when all mature in a couple months. The cockerels grew up together with next to no fighting, but all bets are most certainly off now that the hormones are in full swing and with their subsequent separation.

Yesterday's battle between the SBEL cockerel and Speckled Sussex hens- though 1 is the main instigator - did end with her in a submissive position. As soon as I saw the bleeding (him only) they were separated, but it was after a drawn out episode - hard to watch but only minor injury to him. Today she only challenged him once, and for the first time, she walked away. There was no more stalking and pouncing and pecking, and she avoided him. In a lot of ways, while she's not the top hen, I think she and the other SS functioned as in the rooster role- the layers grew up without any cockerels/roosters.

The positive steps today were her submitting and avoiding, the SBEL cockerel successfully mating his same age pullets and a couple of layers with his new found manners, and ignoring the 10 week olds because he's got his wings full with the appropriate girls. We've got a ways to go before we've got it all settled out though.

 

[Shezadandy]

Update:

Now we've got everyone back in the main flock with our Welsummer cockerel recovered from whatever caused his limp. They were first reintroduced through the fence for a few days and when the heat finally broke, I put them back together.

The two did of course have a big dust-up to decide who's in charge. Very small injuries- a little bleeding from the combs and one on the top of the head, but as soon as they were cleaned up it was very minor. Most of it was posturing and strikes at the air and jumping over each other. The SBEL cockerel seems to have taken the top spot. Last night the Welsummer was back in his old spot with half the teenager pullets-- tonight he's in an unheard of spot with the big girls on their favorite table with zero problems which was really nice to see- very peaceful. Not sure if this will last, but considering we're talking about two 21 week old cockerels, it's going pretty darn good!!

 

[robdog]

This has happened to me. I was running short on cage room so at night I put two 10 week old pullets in a coop of 1 year old chickens and a rooster and then the next day I come to let them out (A hawk was taking a few every so often) I see one of the pullets dead on the floor from what appears to be a broken neck... Good luck