3 choices for 2 roosters living conditions (other suggestions welcomed)- wwyd

[jenn-]

Well my 6 hens are looking eerily like 4 girls and 2 boys which means those guys have to head out to the farm. The farm hand has his large breed chickens free range but with mature older Roos, I think I need to pen my two up until they are big enough to have a fighting chance. As there are females on the property, I don't know what to expect with their behavior if they are penned and can't get to the girls. Will they be able live together in this environment peacefully?

My choices are to build a coop/run big enough for them to share.

Build a run with two smaller coops on either side and build a barrier between them so they can see but not touch each other.

Or build a coop run design so they can never see each other.

 

[mexicanchickens]

It is NOT a good idea to pen up two roosters together. They will fight each other until one dies. I think that you should get rid of one of them, and not let the other rooster out with the others until it's older. Or keep them in separate coops until they're older.

 

[keesmom]

How old are they now?

 

[jenn-]

How old are they now? 

They currently live and have lived together from the beginning. They are approximately 10-11 weeks old

 

[jenn-]

It is NOT a good idea to pen up two roosters together.  They will fight each other until one dies.  I think that you should get rid of one of them, and  not let the other rooster out with the others until it's older.  Or keep them in separate coops until they're older.

I anticipated the real possibility that I would need to kept them apart. I am trying to figure out if there would be a benefit the long run socially if they continue to be able to see but not touch each other while they grow.

The farm is some 80 acres of 90% wooded areas. If I can get them old enough, they might be able to each have their own harem away from the older rooster.

 

[keesmom]

Do you have any idea how many birds are in the flock to where they are going? At this age they are young enough to be intimidated by the mature roosters, and will easily be put in their place by the adult hens. If you wanted to pen them for a while in their new location so the residents can get to know them, then let them loose things will settle out fine.

 

[keesmom]

I anticipated the real possibility that I would need to kept them apart. I am trying to figure out if there would be a benefit the long run socially if they continue to be able to see but not touch each other while they grow

You are better off keeping them together and releasing them sooner rather than later. They are young enough not to be considered a serious threat to the adults at this point, and the mature birds will teach them proper flock manners.

 

[jenn-]

Do you have any idea how many birds are in the flock to where they are going? At this age they are young enough to be intimidated by the mature roosters, and will easily be put in their place by the adult hens. If you wanted to pen them for a while in their new location so the residents can get to know them, then let them loose things will settle out fine.

No one knows that answer with the free range large breeds. He has some broody game hens that occasionally manage to get some babies born before the predators get them. Sine they are completely free range, he's never has a fult accurate head count.

Would it be absolutely cruel to keep them penned up without any ladies for the near future? I need a quick and easy coop/run solution but have plans to possibly build a larger enclosure (or 2) in the future. I know his free rangers have a high mortality rate due to predators and I don't want my babies to end up hawk food.

You are better off keeping them together and releasing them sooner rather than later. They are young enough not to be considered a serious threat to the adults at this point, and the mature birds will teach them proper flock manners.

I will have to consider moving them over soon if they really show definitive signs (or if they crow they gotta go asap).

 

[keesmom]

No one knows that answer with the free range large breeds. He has some broody game hens that occasionally manage to get some babies born before the predators get them. Sine they are completely free range, he's never has a fult accurate head count.

Would it be absolutely cruel to keep them penned up without any ladies for the near future? I need a quick and easy coop/run solution but have plans to possibly build a larger enclosure (or 2) in the future. I know his free rangers have a high mortality rate due to predators and I don't want my babies to end up hawk food.
I will have to consider moving them over soon if they really show definitive signs (or if they crow they gotta go asap).

Anything can happen to free ranged birds. If you do not want yours lost to predators maybe you should look for alternatives. However it isn't easy to find homes for cockerels. There are only so many places for the millions hatched each year.

Cockerels raised together can usually coexist just fine when separated from hens, so don't worry about them killing each other (unless they are games),

 

[aart]

It is NOT a good idea to pen up two roosters together. They will fight each other until one dies. I think that you should get rid of one of them, and not let the other rooster out with the others until it's older. Or keep them in separate coops until they're older.

This is unlikely with young males that are hatch mates, they'll find their pecking order and live pretty well together.....
....unless, like already stated, they are a game breed.