Cockerel behavior

[NHMountainMan]

As I continue to try to figure out these interesting creatures, I have a few (more) cockerel / rooster behavior questions.

Background"
In the attached photo, my Liege Fighter (Hulk - foreground) and my Flarry Eyed Grey (Flash - to the right) are both about 7 months old. Over the past two weeks, I've been letting them around the pullets (7-9 months old) and watching them carefully. With the really cold nights we've had lately (sub zero), I also let them roost in the main coop. Hulk is like the bouncer. He's first out in the a.m. When I open the run, He's first out, and before roosting, he patrols the outside. He crows, and today, alerted and locked eyes with a Snowy Owl - the first I've seen this winter. He also will alert when the dog notices something - he rounds up the girls and waits until they're in the run. I've never seen him attempt to mate.

Flash is much smaller. Crows much more often. He also is very politely mating the pullets, and if I interpret the pics on BYC correctly, I'm getting fertilized eggs. The pullets accept him, don't run from him and so far, no indication of missing feather or overbreeding the pullets. He also did something I haven't seen reference here before - When the pullets were laying and singing their egg songs, he was singing along with them (I took a video - is there a way to upload it without creating a youtube account??)

Both cockerels are game cocks. They roost together, show no aggression towards each other and neither yet have spurs. I am planning on separating them into 2 flocks / coops in the spring.

Is there ever a time where to cockerels will divide responsibility (one as breeder one as protector), and live in peace. Or am I still just waiting for more testosterone to kick in, and a fight and separation is going to be required? Wishful thinking on my part?


Thanks as always.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Just my experience, I had two Ameraucana brothers in my flock. They were very cozy for a long while. Then at about 14-16 months old, in the spring, they flipped out at eachother. Suddenly one was being bullied relentlessly by the other to the point of missing most of his feathers on his neck and huge scabs on his comb when I separated them. They'd done so well together for so long I was hoping it was temporary or because of spring hormones. It was not and it was permanent.

I'd say as long as they're not fighting, give it a try. Leave them together. The moment it starts getting serious, have a back up plan for the other boy. You may get lucky, it may never get serious, but if you already have plans to separate them in case of fighting nothing changes by letting them stay together just to see if it could work out.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Just my experience, I had two Ameraucana brothers in my flock. They were very cozy for a long while. Then at about 14-16 months old, in the spring, they flipped out at eachother. Suddenly one was being bullied relentlessly by the other to the point of missing most of his feathers on his neck and huge scabs on his comb when I separated them. They'd done so well together for so long I was hoping it was temporary or because of spring hormones. It was not and it was permanent.

I'd say as long as they're not fighting, give it a try. Leave them together. The moment it starts getting serious, have a back up plan for the other boy. You may get lucky, it may never get serious, but if you already have plans to separate them in case of fighting nothing changes by letting them stay together just to see if it could work out.

Great - thank you. I'm just hoping to get through snow melt and mud season before splitting the flock in two - about 500 yards apart with separate fencing. As long as I can get to 10 months old, I'll be good.

 

[DobieLover]

Based on my limited experience and the behaviors you describe, Hulk is the submissive cockerel and Flash is dominant. If Hulk does not challenge Flash at some point in the future, they can live together with adequate space and females.
Spring is when things can change. Everyone becomes hormonally challenged and all bets are off.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Nice photo. I see yours are just like mine, scared to death of snow and won't go out in it at all. I assume you've had snow on the ground for a few days. Mine typically don't go out in it for a few days, but usually some will before too long.

Is it possible for two males to get along and reach an accommodation in taking care of the flock? Yes, it is possible. It doesn't always happen but sometimes it does. It may last a long time, it could go south at any time. Have a Plan B ready but I try to go by what I see, not what someone like me over the internet tells you will happen. Your Plan B does not have to be that other coop and run. It could be a crate or pen in that same coop, just separated where they can't get at each other. That should not make splitting the flock in the spring any harder and could make winter feeding and watering easier.

Your story reminds me of two cockerels about the same age from several years back. I never paid that much attention when they were going to bed but in the morning the dominant one was always the first one out when I opened the pop door. The subordinate was the last out. It sure looked like the one was out first to make sure the coast was clear while the other made sure one of them was around every flock member until they got outside. I ate one of them before their relationship went south so I don't know how long it would have lasted.

 

[sourland]

Yes it is possible for two or even more cockerels/roosters to get along given enough space. Given the genetic make up of your birds, I would guess that eventually something will trigger them to fight, and again given their DNA it could be a serious knock down drag out. Just keep an eye on them and have a 'Plan B' in mind. One trigger that I have noted in my flocks has been a rain that soaks the birds to the point that perhaps they no longer recognize one another ?

 

[ValerieJ]

I'll be interested to know how this works out for you. Hope you'll keep this thread updated with your progress.

I'd love for my two cockerels to live in harmony with all my hens/pullets. Right now, at 5 mos, they are each in their own coop and run because they are just too, inadvertently, aggressive with the girls, and the larger cockerel is not tolerant of the smaller anymore.

I also can keep them separate for life with their own flock each, but I will need to get more hens for that. I also have some wishful thinking going on here.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Based on my limited experience and the behaviors you describe, Hulk is the submissive cockerel and Flash is dominant. If Hulk does not challenge Flash at some point in the future, they can live together with adequate space and females.
Spring is when things can change. Everyone becomes hormonally challenged and all bets are off.

Thanks - I'd guess the same on dominant and submissive, and I'm hoping there isn't a challenge. But on size alone, I can't imagine it turning out well for Flash.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Nice photo. I see yours are just like mine, scared to death of snow and won't go out in it at all. I assume you've had snow on the ground for a few days. Mine typically don't go out in it for a few days, but usually some will before too long.

Is it possible for two males to get along and reach an accommodation in taking care of the flock? Yes, it is possible. It doesn't always happen but sometimes it does. It may last a long time, it could go south at any time. Have a Plan B ready but I try to go by what I see, not what someone like me over the internet tells you will happen. Your Plan B does not have to be that other coop and run. It could be a crate or pen in that same coop, just separated where they can't get at each other. That should not make splitting the flock in the spring any harder and could make winter feeding and watering easier.

Your story reminds me of two cockerels about the same age from several years back. I never paid that much attention when they were going to bed but in the morning the dominant one was always the first one out when I opened the pop door. The subordinate was the last out. It sure looked like the one was out first to make sure the coast was clear while the other made sure one of them was around every flock member until they got outside. I ate one of them before their relationship went south so I don't know how long it would have lasted.

There are a few of mine that really like the snow - an Orloff and a red sex link. But as the cockerels seem to be taking charge now, they don't stray very far from them anymore. We actually have a lot of snow, but not on top of the ridge - the wind blows is off.

Thanks for the help and advice - I did have two other cockerels, Bresse that were big and not so nice to the ladies - we decided to send them to the freezer.

 

[sealer39]

Also, cockerels will get involved with the egg laying process. My EE cockerel has been very actively “assisting” the pullets in laying their first eggs. He has also taught himself how to sing the egg laying song. Usually he will perch on the entrance to the nest box, blocking the laying pullet inside, then purr until she lays an egg. Sometimes he joins them in the box. It’s pretty funny to watch.