9 week old roosters becoming mean to other 9 week old hens

[Buckeye Amy]

Do not hold any chicken upside down, it can be very dangerous to them!

 

[Livvydays]

Ok thank you. It's so hard to know what is good advice and what isn't when searching online and being new to all of this.

 

[Folly's place]

Chickens get quiet when held upside down because they are struggling to get enough O2 and get cyanotic.
Mary

 

[Livvydays]

my approach is not to intervene unless blood has been drawn and a bird clearly needs rescuing to avert serious injury. But my birds aren't confined, so it has very rarely got bloody.

Chickens can be aggressive towards one another, but how often do we really understand the social dynamics and personalities in the flock, so interpret correctly what is actually going on? 'If in doubt, don't' is my motto with these things. Others take a different approach. You have to find what works for you and your flock.

When you decide to intervene what do you do?

 

[Folly's place]

It's best to always have a backup plan ready, as a separate place to house a bird. A big dog crate, maybe, in a safe location, with food and water and bedding. If the bird will be removed from the flock permanently, out os sight is best. If it's going to remain in the flock, separated but in view is good.
Here we have zero tolerance for a bird causing injuries (not just a random peck) or a cockerel who wants to attack any humans.
As a first time owner of cockerels, you will likely miss those early signs of obnoxious behaviors, and it's too soon to know if your boys will grow into good ones or not.
Chicken keeping is fun! The birds are beautiful and entertaining, and fresh eggs are the best.
Mary

 

[Perris]

When you decide to intervene what do you do?

it depends on the circumstances of course, but if I think it's verging on abuse, just moving purposefully towards the commotion, clapping my hands and shouting 'oy' is usually enough to break it up. If you don't do it often it has impact.

When something more radical is needed I just swoop in and put hands either side to hold the wings in and lift the offender or victim away, carry them off a way and then release. Or, if protective custody is required, pop them into a large dog crate until calm is restored. That even worked with a kestrel I had to rescue from a broody. He'd got his composure again within the hour and flew straight off when released - and never came back

 

[Airyaman]

Hello all. I am new to having chickens. I have 2 buff orpington roosters (they were straight runs and i took a chance), 2 Olive egger hens and 4 light brahma hens. All of them are 9 weeks old. One rooster started crowing last week and the other started crowing today. I plan to get rid of one rooster since I've learned 2 roosters would be too much with the amount of hens I have. Both roosters are grabbing the back of the hens necks being mean at times I've noticed. Sometimes when eating or in their space. It looks like an attack and not trying to mate because he doesn't try to get on top of the hen. It hurts then hen and I'm not sure what's normal and what's not since I'm new to this. I haven't seen any injuries yet and hope i dont see any. Both roosters are nice to me. Will this get worse or get better over time? Maybe I should get rid of both roosters? Any advice welcomed.

The inside coop is approximately 8x10 and the run is approximately 8x12. I let them free range for about 30m in am and pm when I'm out in the yard. I try to give them things to do so not bored. Hanging treats. Pool with rocks and treats. Hay and scratch. Several roosts different levels. Dust Bath.

Wow, 9 weeks, guess I'm lucky. My too many roosters didn't start doing that to hens until 12 weeks for the Australorps and 15 weeks for my CCLs (oddly my 2 humongous Jersey Giants have never gone after any hens in my presence, almost 16 weeks).

 

[Livvydays]

Thanks again everyone!! I know it's not typical to have roosters in town but I'm going to try and keep one and see how it goes while being mentally prepared to having to give both away. I've spoken to 3 neighbors so far and encouraged them to let me know if they become disruptive at all. So far the neighbors are just fine with my roosters but obviously that can change. Just wanted to be upfront with my attempt anyways. Thanks for welcoming me to this great group!!