Does it ever work to have 2 roosters in a small flock?

[rascal66]

.... I had two roosters with 14 hens at one point. There was the dominant roo and the lesser Roo. Both were Brahma, but the dominant one has always been around since the beginning. The other one was introduced to him and his flock at 2 months old. He learned to respect the dominant Roo. Sometimes the older one would chase the younger but never anything too serious. A minor comb wound once, but he always kept his distance and never sought to challenge him. Would love to try to get away with mating the hens when he wasn't around... I should note that the run is very large and i often free ranged them. Recently sold him. Good luck

 

[feathermaid]

I don't think the TSC gal knew how to identify chick breeds when handing them out to you. Maybe they were already mixed in the bins. The only way your lightest (white) ISA brown is a cockerel is if you bought straight run and got one of each, otherwise it's likely a different breed pullet.
The only one that looks like a cockerel to me is the dark reddish brown, which is not a wyandotte. Wyandottes have short rose combs and none are that color. Could be a speckled sussex (white specks) but it looks more like a production breed, like rhode island red.
The black could be a Jersey giant or black australorp, but looks like it might have a black comb?

 

[Leeab]

I don't know to be honest but I would see how it goes and if they fight you have to get rid of one of them.
It is very strange to have an ISA brown Cockerel, if you send a picture someone might be able to help.

I have two roosters. The dominant one is in charge. but my flock is about 80 birds. Plenty To go around. But when paths cross, or one gets ones favorite hens, well a fight. But I only keep a couple roosters (Males) will defend there hens, warn against danger.. will defend the hens to the death..

 

[SeaHen]

My first roosters were freebie Barred Rock brothers from the feed store. They did everything together, even roosted on the fence in the barn side by side at night. I have a dozen roosters now with twice as many hens, and in general everyone gets along with everyone else. I think a big factor is space and territory. They free range over about 4 acres during the day and put themselves to bed at night; often several roosters will line up on the perches together. Keeping several roosters in a more confined area could be challenging but you might be surprised!

 

[Roo5]

I was going to try this, but have a few more birds.I have 16 chickens and think I will end up with at the most,4-6 roosters possibly, and am getting attached.I planned on keeping two and replacing the rest, or not, depends,either way it won’t be the required amount, however I expect to keep a very large run and they’ll free range.So we’ll see how all of this works,I’ve kept chickens before this batch and have had tons of boys.
As for you,maybe consider a bachelor pad, or rotating yours boys every year,if possible add a few more pullets or give each rooster their own separate hens.

 

[Naser]

I have two roosters. The dominant one is in charge. but my flock is about 80 birds. Plenty To go around. But when paths cross, or one gets ones favorite hens, well a fight. But I only keep a couple roosters (Males) will defend there hens, warn against danger.. will defend the hens to the death..

I have 3 roosters with 30 hens but free range 24/7 and no problems apart from minor chases, but if you keep them in a closed space they will fight.

 

[VJK]

I was going to try this, but have a few more birds.I have 16 chickens and think I will end up with at the most,4-6 roosters possibly, and am getting attached.I planned on keeping two and replacing the rest, or not, depends,either way it won’t be the required amount, however I expect to keep a very large run and they’ll free range.So we’ll see how all of this works,I’ve kept chickens before this batch and have had tons of boys.
As for you,maybe consider a bachelor pad, or rotating yours boys every year,if possible add a few more pullets or give each rooster their own separate hens.

I actually thought of separating the roosters from the hens- making a bachelor pad- but wondered if they'd still fight even without access to hens to compete for? So new at this still! I have 2 areas I could try to build an additional coop and add or divide their space in the run- wasn't sure if having them close to the hens (shared fence so they could still interact through it) or if completely separate would be best. It's hard getting attached! They had one squabble I broke up because one was really screaming and from that alone, I knew I couldn't handle ongoing battles! I even started looking into seeing if neutering is an option! Might be a little crazy here!!!

 

[VJK]

I have 3 roosters with 30 hens but free range 24/7 and no problems apart from minor chases, but if you keep them in a closed space they will fight.

It does sound like from other responses also, that keeping them in a pen might be a problem. My run is 14 x 70 and coop is 6 x 8 ( x 10 high with 3 levels for them to climb onto) and I thought for 9 chickens that would be enough- but maybe not. Wish there was an easy way to neuter them!!

 

[VJK]

My first roosters were freebie Barred Rock brothers from the feed store. They did everything together, even roosted on the fence in the barn side by side at night. I have a dozen roosters now with twice as many hens, and in general everyone gets along with everyone else. I think a big factor is space and territory. They free range over about 4 acres during the day and put themselves to bed at night; often several roosters will line up on the perches together. Keeping several roosters in a more confined area could be challenging but you might be surprised!

At 8 weeks old now, I broke up one fight that about did me in! One was screaming while the other was pulling on his wing and pecking his comb. I hope they will work it out but I know I have to have a plan B in the works. Looks like space could be a problem being the 9 I will have together eventually will be in a 14 x 70 run. Looking at separating the roos from the hens in their own run and coop (if they would get along then?). Wish I could find an easy was to neuter these guys!

 

[RZOELLIN]

Sorry for the empty post. I was attempting to use my phone and had an issue!
The black bird looks like the Ayam Cemanis that I have, could also be a distant cousin to the Cemeni, Swedish Black. I have both in my flock. An individual photo of her with the legs included would help.