2 Roosters- to keep or not to keep??

[Folly's place]

There's this learning curve, as far as figuring out what 'early signs' are regarding first indications of human aggression.
I like cockerels who are raised in flocks including mature birds, best with both hens and roosters. The adolescent cockerels get to eat humble pie a lot, very good for them.
Cockerels who are 'friendly' can turn out to be too bold, and happy to take on humans as their hormones kick in. I want roosters of any age to get out of my path and spend their time watching out for actual predators, not me. Any that challenge me in any way are gone. Any that injure pullets or hens are gone. half the chicks hatched will be cockerels, and very few need to stay in the flock.
Our worst cockerel ever started flaring and attacking me at eight weeks of age! he was amazing, not in a good way, and left for greener pastures...
A couple of times we've had mature roosters (a one year old and a two year old) decide to turn into attack birds, starting with watching, then following, them pretending to peck the ground when I made eye contact, all before actually attacking from the rear.
Usually the cockerels show who they want to be gradually, and having a jerk once, will give you chances to see how this develops.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Signs to be aware of:

• excessive crowing when you come into the set up
• flapping his wings at you, puffing up to make big
• jumping up on something closer to your eye level
• glaring at you
• sneaking behind you
• coming right up to you, expecting a treat. This looks so friendly to inexperienced people, but they should not invade your space

Those are signs, that now, with my experience, I would dispatch. Most of us wait too long before we can bring ourselves to cull the first one. Beware of making excuses, such as, I was touching his hens, I was wearing the wrong shoes, he only did it once, or he only did it to someone else, who was not behaving correctly.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

I am a 63 year old woman, when I cull my birds, I either slit their throat, using a cone. This works well for my hands and I can do it by myself. I just cannot manage a bird and a hatchet all at he same time with my hands.
I have also done the broomstick method. Very quick, easy for a single person to do.

There is a lot of flapping with the broomstick. That means you did it right.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

There is a lot of flapping with the broomstick. That means you did it right.

Mrs K

That took me a little to understand.

But if the bird flaps VIOLENTLY it means that you did the job quickly and correctly.

 

[Mrs. K]

haha - please don't tell anyone that I teach middle school English and just talked last week about misplaced phrases!

When you use the broomstick method, almost immediately after you pull and let go, the bird will flap his/her wings very hard. This upsets people, but it is actually an indicator that you did the job correctly.

The bird does no flapping with the broomstick. haha

 

[3KillerBs]

haha - please don't tell anyone that I teach middle school English and just talked last week about misplaced phrases!

When you use the broomstick method, almost immediately after you pull and let go, the bird will flap his/her wings very hard. This upsets people, but it is actually an indicator that you did the job correctly.

The bird does no flapping with the broomstick. haha

I meant that it took a while to understand that the violent reaction was a good thing.

Sorry -- I had a stressful day at work (short-crewed and VERY busy).

 

[Carters Chick House]

Second this. I have 2 guys for 16 hens. One of them is the head hancho, the other one is kind of a bachelor and does his own thing. They tolerate eachother, but have 2 acres to play on so dont interact a ton.

I also have two roosters that grew up together. The boss rooster is doing a great job while rooster 2 keeps to himself. The hens run from rooster 2. I'm adding 6 more hens hoping rooster 2 can have some hens as well. No fights yet.

 

[triciayoung]

Yikes but good to know! Is there information on the best way to cull a rooster on here? I want to be prepared if my situation doesn’t end up being the good one.

Also, is there information on here for signs to look for as far as aggression goes.

Thanks so much for your response, I really appreciate it!

I have two roosters and nine hens. As soon as I knew I had two roosters, I moved them into a bachelor pad. Even when the hens are in the Chunnel, they are in the backyard. They can see each other and even touch beaks through fences, but have not been together since 8-weeks old. My roosters get along fine.