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

[VJK]

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?

You're definitely right that she didn't know how to pick out birds! They supposedly were in separate containers and labeled- but apparently were mixed! I am not sure but from doing some looking- the lighter cockerel (pretty sure it's a male) might be an Amberlink (he has gold around his neck and some dark tips on his wing feathers), the black pullet a Ayam Cemani mix(?) being her comb and bottom of feet are also black, the other pullet a ISA Brown, and the other cockerel possibly a RIR or mix? Does that sound right?

 

[VJK]

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.

I think you're right. She's all black (legs, feet, comb, etc.) except for a spot on her chest with some brown mixed in with the black feathers.

 

[Roo5]

Your going to have to get over the fear of he fighting,even hens fight,and some hens are tougher then roosters.Breaking up small fights will only cause the issue to either get worse or never be fixed,it’s how they figure out who’s in charge,would rather be there to witness a fight other then not,because once you break it up and leave, their just going to fight, and this time you may not be there to break it up if it gets out of hand.I only break up fights when the birds are still going and have fought each other to the point I can tell they won’t be compatible, or when their restless but still going,obvious signs,escpecially with roosters mostly.

They might fight when separated,but it’ll probably be short and swift and without any injury,unless their still feeling as if their in competition still.The pecking order is very strict and to some of us it seems unfair and wrong, but to chickens,it’s literally just part of living.

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!!!

 

[feathermaid]

You're definitely right that she didn't know how to pick out birds! They supposedly were in separate containers and labeled- but apparently were mixed! I am not sure but from doing some looking- the lighter cockerel (pretty sure it's a male) might be an Amberlink (he has gold around his neck and some dark tips on his wing feathers), the black pullet a Ayam Cemani mix(?) being her comb and bottom of feet are also black, the other pullet a ISA Brown, and the other cockerel possibly a RIR or mix? Does that sound right?

Hmm...
of your 4 birds:
White- yes, could be amberlink
Light Brown- I believe this is your ISA
Dark Brown-this is the only one that looks like a cockerel to me, RIR or similar
Black- Swedish black seems more likely

But I'm no expert and we could guess all day long. My local farm store where I get my chicks is super helpful in letting me know about chick shipments, they even let me photograph their order sheet. Can you call or visit and get a list of what was actually ordered/delivered to their store the week you got your chicks? Then you could probably narrow down breeds according to what was actually in stock.

Your run sounds like a nice good size. Even if you end up with 2 cockerels and they do happen to get along fine, I would worry more about your hens getting overbred. The usual ratio is 1:10 and more boys can cause feather loss and stress for the girls which could also result in a halt of egg production, not to mention many roos are not always nice to humans. Here are some articles that may give more perspective:
Keeping A Rooster
Selecting Good Flock Roosters
Rooster Flocks
Dealing With and Taming Aggressive Roosters

 

[JAFig]

We had two roos and nine hens for a while. (The roos were both bantams, as well as two of the hens). They never fought with on another. One was more dominant, and the other just strutted around like "moving yard art" (according to my daughter). We never experienced any type of issues at all. I don't know if it makes a significant difference that the roos were bantams and the hens were large fowl. It might. Anyway, best of luck on your flock. -hope everything works out well. It is so easy to get attached to ALL of them!

I had exactly the same experience with my two bantam roosters. The dominant one bred the hens, the subordinate one watched for hawks. They free-ranged all day and didn't lose a hen, ever. Hung out with my dog too. Miss those boys, died at 8 and 9 years old. Don't get me wrong, the alpha was aggressive every spring with us humans, but he was only 5 inches tall, and we always write boots around him. No danger to children.

When we hatched EEggers to add to the flock, the cockerels were of course beautiful. Very sweet, until sexual maturity and the problems began. Broke my husband's heart when I offered to process those roos for the table. Then one went after our bantam boys. Big mistake. Big assertive cockerels are dangerous too people too. But once they are plucked and brined, they look just like like any other BBQ chicken. My husband enjoyed them too.

 

[VJK]

Hmm...
of your 4 birds:
White- yes, could be amberlink
Light Brown- I believe this is your ISA
Dark Brown-this is the only one that looks like a cockerel to me, RIR or similar
Black- Swedish black seems more likely

But I'm no expert and we could guess all day long. My local farm store where I get my chicks is super helpful in letting me know about chick shipments, they even let me photograph their order sheet. Can you call or visit and get a list of what was actually ordered/delivered to their store the week you got your chicks? Then you could probably narrow down breeds according to what was actually in stock.

Your run sounds like a nice good size. Even if you end up with 2 cockerels and they do happen to get along fine, I would worry more about your hens getting overbred. The usual ratio is 1:10 and more boys can cause feather loss and stress for the girls which could also result in a halt of egg production, not to mention many roos are not always nice to humans. Here are some articles that may give more perspective:
Keeping A Rooster
Selecting Good Flock Roosters
Rooster Flocks
Dealing With and Taming Aggressive Roosters

Thanks for the info! I'll have to look up Swedish Black- not familiar with that kind. Curious- is there a reason you don't think the white (actually pale yellow) isn't a cockerel? Sure wish it wasn't! It developed a comb and wattle at the same time as the dark brown one while the last 2 didn't so I assumed it was. I do understand about the hens getting overbred and that is a concern. I will look up the links you sent. It's looking like separating them might be the best option.. if neutering is not!

 

[VJK]

Your going to have to get over the fear of he fighting,even hens fight,and some hens are tougher then roosters.Breaking up small fights will only cause the issue to either get worse or never be fixed,it’s how they figure out who’s in charge,would rather be there to witness a fight other then not,because once you break it up and leave, their just going to fight, and this time you may not be there to break it up if it gets out of hand.I only break up fights when the birds are still going and have fought each other to the point I can tell they won’t be compatible, or when their restless but still going,obvious signs,escpecially with roosters mostly.

They might fight when separated,but it’ll probably be short and swift and without any injury,unless their still feeling as if their in competition still.The pecking order is very strict and to some of us it seems unfair and wrong, but to chickens,it’s literally just part of living.

Thanks for the encouragement. And you're right- my hens go at it, too, sometimes (I end up bandaging their feet daily in the winter when they seem to pick at each other more). I do understand about establishing pecking order even though it's hard to watch! I wasn't prepared for the fighting with the 2 cockerels. They have had moments of posturing and puffing up with some pecking before but this day one was chasing

and attacking ​

the other, who was clearing trying to get away. The pitiful squawks got me to intervene but I will have to toughen up!

 

[ncymst]

I have 5 leghorns (possibly about 2 years old) and my adult son talked me into getting a few chicks (ok, let's be honest- it wasn't a hard sell!). I picked out 2 ISA brown's (sex-links?) because I wanted to make sure I got pullets. My son went for one for they said were Wyandottes (one gold laced and one solid black one- though not really sure about the kind the black one is?). The gal at Tractor Supply was trying to be helpful and maybe a bit overly sure of herself in picking out pullets! I am a total newbie and was no help. At about 7 weeks old now, it's very obvious that one ISA Brown and one Wyandotte are cockerels. So here's the problem- I'm attached to all of them and so far they are all social and love attention, calm down when held, etc. I have heard the 2 cockerels will eventually fight and to expect that they're friendliness will diminish as hormones kick in. I really never wanted roosters at all being ours are not free-range (kept in 14x70 run with 6x8 coop) but also having a hard time knowing what to do or letting them go. (And sorry- just can't think about eating these guys- not an option- just couldn't do it!). So.... does it ever work out to have 2 roosters with just 7 hens?

I actually have 2 leghorn Roos one is definitely more dominant I feel bad for my younger roo because he isn’t allowed to eat with the other roo or chickens but I free range so he can do his own thing. It’s not the best situation but they were in all winter together but he’s learned his place so the fighting does happen but it’s at a minimum

 

[Roo5]

Understandable, that’s why boys need space, so subordinate males can get out the way.I worry about things too!

Thanks for the encouragement. And you're right- my hens go at it, too, sometimes (I end up bandaging their feet daily in the winter when they seem to pick at each other more). I do understand about establishing pecking order even though it's hard to watch! I wasn't prepared for the fighting with the 2 cockerels. They have had moments of posturing and puffing up with some pecking before but this day one was chasing

and attacking ​

the other, who was clearing trying to get away. The pitiful squawks got me to intervene but I will have to toughen up!

 

[feathermaid]

Thanks for the info! I'll have to look up Swedish Black- not familiar with that kind. Curious- is there a reason you don't think the white (actually pale yellow) isn't a cockerel? Sure wish it wasn't! It developed a comb and wattle at the same time as the dark brown one while the last 2 didn't so I assumed it was. I do understand about the hens getting overbred and that is a concern. I will look up the links you sent. It's looking like separating them might be the best option.. if neutering is not!

Oh, from the photos it just didn't look like a very red comb, though I could be mistaken. But a big red comb isn't the be-all end-all anyway... there are more important determining factors like the shape of saddle and hackle feathers which won't start showing for a few more weeks. And sometimes you just have to wait for crowing or eggs. No need to separate any birds just yet until you know for sure.
You can find tips on gender clues here:
Guide to Improving Your Identification Skills