Adding a second, or back-up rooster?

[Folly's place]

Mine come over when I'm calling them for treats, but I don't feed anyone out of my hand, or let any bird jump up on me, or peck me. It's just not something that works for me, and while I like the friendly bold hens, they aren't in my space like that either.
Mary

 

[TheTwoRoos]

From personal experience,there will be soem fighting amongst boys.I currently have a Cochin bantam and. New Hampshire rooster.They fights every spring but nothing serious.Usally a couple fights,no blood ever drawn,and most last a couple seconds.The rest of the spring is just the Cochin bantam antagonizing the other rooster simply by standing in a dominant position as if he wants to fight.The New Hampshire just runs at him and the bantam runs away,after being ran away he resumed back into his fight position with his wings aside and constant crowing till he can get the rooster to chase him again,it’s actually quite hilarious.I have kept a son with father and this only worked out once,trying again for the third time this year.Last time both got along and successfully lived together for a year,for some dumb reason my grandma got rid of the son.My first experience with son and father,went horrible,but that was two different roosters.Father killed son,blinded him in both eyes and sprained his neck,now that was unexpected,unfortunately I had to shoot his son.I have seen better days,that was a terrible experience,escpecially since at the time I was a kid.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

No,the current boys I have are Good boys,nothing serious.But yes,besides these boys, the first two I ever kept were absolutely terrible,unforutently I do take blame should have Seperated the boys like my grandparents told me to and I’d don’t let them free range that morning,things went side ways,you live and learn though.

Did you mean "have NOT ran into terrible issues", as the rest of your post makes it sound like the fighting is only temporary and kind of funny to watch.

 

[Morrigan]

But we are talking about cockerels and pullets, not mature chickens. They typically are not going to be calm.

That's for sure. When I got Duke he was about 4 or 5 months old and my pullets were 6 months old. Poor Duke! Even after doing the look-but-don't-touch thing for two weeks, when I finally let them together . . . oh man. Duke had no tail feather or saddle feathers for a while. But, there was never any blood, and Duke eventually took his spot on top.

I'm hoping Duke and older hens will help keep the young ones somewhat in line. The hard part for me is going to be deciding what's normal "working it out" and when I need to cull. I'm sure it will get easier with experience. I'm sure I'll make some mistakes along the way.

Having a harmonious flock is really important to me. I've tried to seek out breeds known for being gentle and have culled a young hen before for bad behavior.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

My boys don’t fight,the smaller rooster constantly bucking up to the other is funny because it like a little kid antigonizing the bigger kid.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

But,I think you will have a good first experience

 

[Morrigan]

But,I think you will have a good first experience

I hope so too.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

But most of my boys work as a team .Also can be dependent on breed,some breeds are notorious for being aggressive