Can 3 cockerels live peacefully together?

[Momma*chicken]

I have 3 mille fleur bantam cockerels that r hatch mates and 12 isa brown girls who r 6 wks. The boys seemed to get along really well together, even squawking sadly when one was removed from the run. I know I should only have 1 rooster per 10-12 hens, but I'm having trouble finding a home for 2 of them. Yesterday I saw having there first face off several times. So my question is, if I cannot find a home for 2 of them, can they live successfully together without ripping each other apart if they r all brothers?

 

[Momma*chicken]

If they cannot live peacefully together, at what age will they really start trying to get at each other? How much time do I have to find them a home?

 

[The Phantom]

I had 3 brahma bantam boys that were best friend "until that point". 2 would constantly try to kill each other

 

[Momma*chicken]

Hmm, yea they r always snuggling closely together when they sleep. Yesterday was the first time I ever saw them having a face off... However they weren't really hurting each other... I monitored them closely

 

[The Phantom]

It could be that point. Hopefully they work thing out

 

[Alexandra33]

I feel like it depends on the birds. Some tend to cause problems on a daily basis, whereas others have the occasional spat (albeit nothing too serious) for dominance. Most of my cockerels get/have gotten along beautifully. Of course, there were a rare few that bothered their male companions excessively, but once they were gone, relative peace ensued.

Just keep an eye on your boys. If you notice a troublemaker in the group, or simply unharmonious living in general, you may deal with them as you see fit.

Generally, 6 months, give or take a little, appears to be the "scary" age where they can't seem to get a grip. That's the trend around here, anyway.

~Alex

 

[Momma*chicken]

Thanks for the info! Hopefully they can work things out

 

[Alexandra33]

Thanks for the info! Hopefully they can work things out

You're so welcome! I hope so, too, for your sake.

~Alex

 

[aart]

At 6 weeks old you are just seeing the very beginnings of male combat.
I'd have separate enclosures ready to go, cause when it gets ugly it happens fast.

Their fighting each other is only part of the potential problem,
more concern will be for them going after the pullets as the males will sexually mature a couple months before the females.

How much space you have an make a big difference too,
as well as how you 'raise' the males.

Are these you only birds?
The males are just for 'fun' and not breeding?

I know I should only have 1 rooster per 10-12 hens

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.

It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.

Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc

It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[Momma*chicken]

The cockerels r actually 9wks old, the pullets r 6 wks almost 7 wks. We originally wanted only one male and ended up with 3, long story. We actually have a pretty big coop. It's 8ft by 6ft, raised 2 ft high, with an attached run that is 8ft by 16ft. And soon we will slowly have them free range when they get used to their coop.
We want a rooster to help protect the flock. I know in terms of actually fighting off a predator, chances r very slim, but we wanted one for alarm purposes mainly.... We have a lot of foxes and hawks here. One day we may let some eggs hatch