Can we keep 2 cockerels/roosters?

[KikiDeAnime]

All 6 of our Crested Polish are 2 weeks old today and I know we'll have 1-2 cockerels but I want to know if growing up together will allow both to co-exist peacefully with small scuffles.
We had Crested Polish cockerels once that got along fine but because they had crowed, we got rid of them.

Is it possible?
Should I only keep one?

I allow them to free range during the day while I supervise.

We currently have 2 hen flocks so if I keep both, each will have their own hens to themselves.
In total right now we have: 8 layers, 1 mother hen, and 3 B.O pullets(They'll be joining one of the flocks). The layers are a flock and the mother hen has the 6 Crested Polish for her little flock.

If you need any more info about our flocks to decide on what to tell me, let me know.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

It’s possible I had 2 cockerels and 3 pullets in the past
and I know someone with 4 hens and 2 roosters and everyone is fine as long as you free range and each roo can have his territory

 

[sylviethecochin]

It completely depends on the boys as to whether they'll get along or not. Most will, if raised together, but some won't.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

It completely depends on the boys as to whether they'll get along or not. Most will, if raised together, but some won't.

Now that I think about all the flocks I mentioned the roosters grew up together from chicks so it will help if the grew up together

 

[DobieLover]

The boys likely will get along just fine once they establish who's the big man in town. It's the over-mating of the pullets that may become the issue. I was forced to re-home one of my cockerels for this very reason. Once the hormones started raging, those girls were being thoroughly abused by the boys.

 

[sourland]

It may work or it may not. The only way to know is to give it a try, but have a plan 'B' in mind in case problems arise.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Usually roos raised together will not fight beyond the occasionally scuffle. This only works because when more than one male share a flock there is one that becomes the alpha and flock leader and the rest take their places further down the pecking order.

However you mentioned you have two flocks of girls. Do you keep them totally separate or do they free range together or share a run? If you end up giving one cockerel to each group of girls, and the groups interact sometimes, the boys will be far more likely to fight. This is because they will become separate flocks with the cockerels as the heads of each flock and they will view each other as rivals.

To keep the peace the flocks will have to be totally separate, or integrated together as one large flock.

Over mating is also always a possibility, but this really depends on the personalities and behaviour of the cockerels, plus the living environment (I. E. How much space the hens have to escape the cockerels' advances) . Some cockerels can be fine with one or two hens whilst others will cause problems like baldness and stress to a dozen hens.

 

[Sprayanimal]

It’s possible I had 2 cockerels and 3 pullets in the past
and I know someone with 4 hens and 2 roosters and everyone is fine as long as you free range and each roo can have his territory[/QUOTE
You can but not necessary for fertility issues 7 to 1 ratio hens is more than enough.

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

The boys likely will get along just fine once they establish who's the big man in town. It's the over-mating of the pullets that may become the issue. I was forced to re-home one of my cockerels for this very reason. Once the hormones started raging, those girls were being thoroughly abused by the boys.

i have 16 hens and one juvie cockerel......my girls do not like him....when he mounts one of the hens the others come to her rescue and peck him off her...they attack him most of the day....i hope once he matures he will calm down.....

 

[DobieLover]

i have 16 hens and one juvie cockerel......my girls do not like him....when he mounts one of the hens the others come to her rescue and peck him off her...they attack him most of the day....i hope once he matures he will calm down.....

Good for the girls!