Ahh... navigating Chicken life with Roosters. WARNING culling alert.

[Carson213]

in my opinion...to make it easy, just start with one rooster even if you have two dozen pullets...manage that then move to a second. that’s what i am doing. i have two coops as well but going to use the second for a separate flock of meat birds/layers to then mix into the current layers when i relieve them of duty.

 

[aart]

You could just pick one now and be done with it.
eenymeenymineymo.
Or keep housing them separately and range them on alternate days until you decide.

 

[Cee]

You just have to do whatever seems like the best thing at the moment. I wasn't criticizing anything you've done, just trying to give you hope for the future!

I don't feel criticized
at all and so grateful.
I really hope I can get the trick of raising a good rooster. I realize they are themselves, hard wired to protect. Much of the behavior they exhibit is something people take real personal and I did too. Now I am beginning to think I need to ignore most of it. Like when a cockerel jumps on my leg, calmly ignore him and just keep walking through his space to fill the feeder. He's not hurting me. I am bigger than him and he needs to know I am not a threat. I've noticed it is helping. He just looks kinda surprised and walks away. I think I was too heavy handed with the others and it really triggered their latent (?) aggressiveness. I love having chickens. I plan to keep them for years and years. I look forward to doing a better job and having 2 roosters in a happy flock is a goal.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It will be easier to have a pair of roosters where one grows up in the other's flock than 2 that grow up at the same time

 

[Mrs. K]

In defense of the SOP - I don't think that they are only for showing or breeding. They help you see the best of a breed. The one or two I went to had some very good points on uniform symmetry. If you are just getting started, it can help you critically examine your birds for strengths and weaknesses.

I do not breed for show.

Mrs K

 

[Cee]

It will be easier to have a pair of roosters where one grows up in the other's flock than 2 that grow up at the same time

Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks.

 

[Cee]

In defense of the SOP - I don't think that they are only for showing or breeding. They help you see the best of a breed. The one or two I went to had some very good points on uniform symmetry. If you are just getting started, it can help you critically examine your birds for strengths and weaknesses.

I do not breed for show.

Mrs K

Thanks, I was wondering about that. They are from a hatchery and I understand that the quality may not be as great as from a show bird stock. I think that’s right? However best to consider physical looks too?

 

[Folly's place]

I don't plan to show my birds either, but still want them to resemble their breed standard, in size, correctness, and lack of defects. For cockerels, temperament is my first concern, and physical defects, fir example wry tail, beak deformities, or bad feet. For breeders, never being sick matters a lot too.
Once you separated these tow cockerels, they just aren't interested in getting along together. your breed tends to have many 'tough' cockerels, both with each other, and with human aggressive tendencies.
@Beekissed , @BantyChooks , and @Shadrach all have good article about managing roosters, well worth reading. I think that the cockerel jumping you from behind is not behaving well, and when he's grown, with nice spurs, it won't be harmless!
I want my cockerels to pay attention to their flockmates, and not go after me, ever. Reforming jerks usually fails, and just isn't worth it. Nice polite roosters are wonderful, not the other sort.
One or both of your cockerels might work out for you, or not. See how things go, and don't feel bad if neither turn out to be keepers. In spring, more chicks, and find one or two good ones!
Are you committed to this one breed? Try some others!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

About what age to be sure about temperament; usually it's clear that first year, as the cockerels develop real 'rooster' behaviors. I've had some who were human aggressive much younger, and a couple who decided to become attack birds their second year, but that's not the usual story.
What takes experience is learning to read their early signals, before that actual attack happens. You are getting some of that experience this year, and will be better at understanding your new chicks next year.
Mary

 

[bobbi-j]

It will be easier to have a pair of roosters where one grows up in the other's flock than 2 that grow up at the same time

Not always. Sometimes a younger cockerel will challenge and fight a mature rooster. But you never know until you try. Just make sure you have a separation plan ready before you need it, as things can turn ugly quite quickly.