Father and son fighting

[ImNotYogi]

I first got chickens in April 2015. One turned out to be a rooster (EE)and he's been awesome with the hens. Doing the normal stuff like calling them for treats, made little nests when they first started laying, and even ran up on a dog once. On Monday he was ousted by his son though. Their fight wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. From what I saw there was a chase and JR pinned SR down then SR ran under the coop. Only injuries are on their combs and a few missing feathers. Days later SR stays away from the flock and whenever he gets too close JR runs him off. The worst of it is JR tries to keep him out of the coop at night.

I guess I'm curious if anyone has been able to keep two roosters in the same coop with hens. I know that may be a long shot and will be able to fix something more permanent when the weather warms up. Also curious on the cycle of rooster fights. Obviously it may just depend on the individual rooster though how possible is it that SR will try to regain his spot? Do rooster fights get progressively worse? I'll get rid of JR before I'd get rid of SR (would he go back to the top spot or stay at the bottom?)

 

[bobbi-j]

There are no absolutes in chicken keeping. With enough space, some people can keep two roosters in a flock. Others can have acres and acres of land, a huge coop, and still not be able to keep two roosters.

SR may or may not try to regain his place on the flock. He may just give up and be an outcast for the rest of his life. He may give it some time and challenge JR. He may or may not win. The fights could just be little kerfluffles, or one of them could die. (In my friend's flock, it was the SR rooster that was killed.)

How many hens do you have? Two roosters fighting for breeding rights can also cause stress in your flock.

You are the only one who can decide how much nonsense you want to put up with in your flock, and how much stress you want in your flock.

 

[ImNotYogi]

I only have 3 hens and know that's not enough for them. Had more but over the years the numbers dwiddled. I'd prefer SR to be at the top but would HATE to lose him to a fight with his son because he's been so great from the start. Maybe JR will be too but I'm biased. I was thinking of splitting the run and building SR a coop of his own then getting some started pullets. The run is 18x18 (around that at least) and can still be expanded if need be. JR is more agile and I want SR to be safe until I can do this. I've been keeping him in a pet carrier at night in the coop because JR won't allow him to stay in. Would hate to open it up and find one dead or severely injured.

At the moment the hens don't seem too bothered by any of this. I've only seen one allow JR to mate though.

 

[jthornton]

JR sounds like a problem, with only 3 females there will be a fight to the death one day I'd bet.

JT

 

[aart]

Agrees with bobbi and JT.