6 weeks old cockerels fighting to the death already?

[Altairsky]

I hatched 6 cockerels on my last batch. My plan was to invite them to dinner at 3 months old.
They are 2 bantams and 4 dual purpose. The 2 bantams decided to fight to the death today, which I didn't even realize because the fight was completely silent and they were fighting under some large bushes.
I cooled them down with the water hose and now the cockerels split in 2 groups, half staid with the winner and half are staying with the loser. So far so good.
All my chickens free range so they have plenty of space stay away from each other.
Now I have one chick that looks like a vulture, and the other looks like something that belongs to a zombie movie.
I was expecting some fighting, but not at 6 weeks! I was hoping I could get them to behave until culling day. Due to my setup it will be extremely hard to cage and separate birds. Anyone had a similar experience? What did you do to solve the issue?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Not cockerels, but my bantam pullets are some of the spiciest chickens I've ever seen in my life. I'm not surprised that your two got into it so young. Is it even worth holding onto them at that size? I mean, I'm not convinced there's enough meat to make a sandwich with mine.

 

[Altairsky]

Is it even worth holding onto them at that size?

Not at all! Actually I wanted to keep the aggressive one to replace his father because he already has some stunning colors and was interested in a easter egger male of that particular crossing, but holy cow, he's already such a beast I might keep a dual purpose instead. He dominates the dual purpose brothers that are 3-4 times his weight.
The other bantam that lost the fight can't be used for breeding anyway because he was shaken by his father when he was a couple days old and he ended up with one weaker side, so I can't be sure he can keep balance during mating. Simpler thing to do is let them sort things out, and at worst, cull the one that gets bullied, for the peace in the flock.

 

[Altairsky]

Tonight they slept together and now it's like nothing happened, if it wasn't for the zombie makeup.

 

[SnackMeat]

Not at all! Actually I wanted to keep the aggressive one to replace his father because he already has some stunning colors and was interested in a easter egger male of that particular crossing, but holy cow, he's already such a beast I might keep a dual purpose instead. He dominates the dual purpose brothers that are 3-4 times his weight.
The other bantam that lost the fight can't be used for breeding anyway because he was shaken by his father when he was a couple days old and he ended up with one weaker side, so I can't be sure he can keep balance during mating. Simpler thing to do is let them sort things out, and at worst, cull the one that gets bullied, for the peace in the flock.

Since the medical issue is one after birth rather than genetic, if he has the coloring you want to pursue, artificial insemination takes about five minutes.

I'm not keen on prioritizing looks over temperament (though maybe your hardcore one will come down, it seems unlikely) but I understand sometimes people bite the bullet with rarer colors/patterns and jerk roosters can sometimes make the most attentive guardians for hens and chicks.

 

[Mrs. K]

It is hard picking cockerels to keep, I would let both of those go, and as they are bantams, I would do it sooner than later. They may have worked it out, some do. But I would expect it more to be a 'let it go, and live to fight another day' type of deal.

Mrs K