Aggressive 10 week old cockerel

[Ltilden]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting, but I have been reading many threads over the last two months and have found so much valuable information so I’m hoping I can get some tips on handling my current situation..

I am a first time chicken owner. We purchased 4 bantam frizzle Cochins and 1 Rhode Island Red in early May, so they are all around 10 weeks old at this point. Two of my bantams turned out to be cockerels, which is obviously not ideal, but I’m really hoping I can figure out a way to make it work. Everything has been going smoothly up until about 2 weeks ago. One of the cockerels is extremely aggressive and began to attack the other cockerel. The gentle cockerel has lost most of the feathers on his head from the attacks at the point. Now the aggressive one has begun to pick on the Rhode Island Red frequently, and occasionally even the other 2 female bantams. All the other chicks seem pretty afraid of the aggressor and will run away from him. He hasn’t shown any aggression towards me and is actually very sweet when being held and handled.

Is my best bet at this point to separate the aggressive cockerel from the flock for a period of time?

Thanks in advance for any advice! I got the chickens for backyard pets, and the fact that they will lay eggs is just an additional perk to be honest, so I’m not willing to cull the aggressor myself, but I have started to prepare myself that we might have to rehome him

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Yes, I do believe I would consider rehoming one of the cocks. Having more than one male with those females will cause the two boys to fight for their flock.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Oh and welcome to the forum! You'll find some very intelligent people on this forum whenever you need advice.

 

[Ltilden]

update on this situation

we’ve been separating the aggressor at night when the bullying seems to be the worst, until we can find a better home for him. During the day they all go in their run and things seem to be fine for the most part.

Unfortunately since starting the night separation, my sweet cockerel has started to turn mean too! He’s attacking the smaller ladies, and has started to peck and bite me as well. He used to be super sweet and loved the be held and would jump up on me to hang out but he has no interest now

I’m starting to assume this is just standard alpha rooster behavior now that the ladies are in his company more often than the other cockerel. But I’m afraid I’ve created two monsters now, because the original aggressor is still just as mean as before.

Will this behavior calm down a bit once one of the roosters is removed from the situation?

 

[Perris]

hello @Ltilden ! welcome to BYC

If my experience can help, it has taught me this: the basic problem is that your birds are young and young cocks are jerks. Their hormones are raging and their control is poor to non-existent. They may get better, they may not; only time will tell.

But any that attacks you should be culled; you could try to give him away, but be prepared for failure because no-one wants an aggressive roo. I have had to cull one (out of 3; got a 4th and 5th growing up now and futures yet to be determined), the good of the flock and human safety being my priority. So if you want to keep either of them, keep the one who does not attack you. And if you do keep one, I recommend reading Shadrach's article on Understanding your rooster.

Good luck!

 

[Ltilden]

Thanks for the replies @Perris and @RhodeIslandRed5 ! I read through the rooster behavior article and that was immensely informative and helpful, thanks for the recommendation! As it stands right now things are relatively peaceful between the chickens and it’s just me who is upset I’ve lost my sweet loving cockerel lol I’ve realized now that he is just taking on his role as protector of his ladies and everyone once and a while he will still jump in my lap for a pat so I will take what I can get.

As far as rehoming goes, it’s definitely been a challenge but where I live there are many animal sanctuaries. Most of the ones that are strictly no kill are full of unwanted roosters at this point, but there is atleast one that I know of that will take any unwanted bird no questions asked, but in the fall they assess who they keep and who they cull. Not ideal as I would love for my cock to live out his life as long as possible, but I know that’s not always the case.

On another note, we know we want to get some more hens in the future so I am now toying with the idea of getting them sooner rather than later so each rooster has enough ladies to be happy. Just have to figure out the logistics of getting another coop up!

 

[Perris]

glad it helped! I see you now need to read threads and articles on chicken math...