feuding roosters

[dauvau]

First time breeding pheasants, and have two roosters and only four hens. One rooster has been dominate for sometime and has been breeding. Hens are laying and have one incubator going. All of a sudden the roosters are fighting and the submissive one has injured the breeding rooster. We checked an egg and it was fertile. Do we leave the injured proven rooster with the hens. Or remove him and leave the other rooster and help for the best?

Thanks

 

[JJMR794]

Either way you need to seperate those 2 cocks from each other. The next time it will likely be lethal confrontation for 1 of them....

 

[Charliet]

i agree. well said

 

[Tony K T]

Absoluetly,let them both be happy,give them 2 hens each and everyone will be happy.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[kartking22]

Quote:
Most people only have one pen for such a small flock Tony. I agree to seperate the roosters if you have two pens but another solution to your problem is to put blinders on them. Blinders are small plastic devices that are installed on thier beaks so they can't see straight forward. The roosters usually fight by "squaring off" with each other first. The blinders limit their ability to do this. Although some think that blinders hurt the roosters, I found that there is less fighting which actually cuts down on injured roos.

 

[Tony K T]

You could do that,but I for one don't believe in blinders.If they are fighting they should be seperated and if you don't have the space for 2 pens,maybe you should only keep 1 male with the 4 hens and sell they odd male to someone that needs him.You need to think of the birds point if view,not for yours.
In N.H.,Tony.
Quote:
Most people only have one pen for such a small flock Tony. I agree to seperate the roosters if you have two pens but another solution to your problem is to put blinders on them. Blinders are small plastic devices that are installed on thier beaks so they can't see straight forward. The roosters usually fight by "squaring off" with each other first. The blinders limit their ability to do this. Although some think that blinders hurt the roosters, I found that there is less fighting which actually cuts down on injured roos.

 

[kartking22]

I agree with your ideas Tony for someone that has a few birds. I, for example have over 100 hens and 11 roosters for breeding. I have two pens that are segregated but still connected to give the roos thier space but yet let them choose which pen that they are more comfortable in. Hens have the same choice. I have a small door between the pens which gives both the hens and roos the choice to breed with whomever they decide is the best suiter. All of my roos are fitted with blinders to keep the fighting down to a minimum and also tames down the roos that are very aggressive towards the hens. I actually let a rooster free that got beaten up in both pens and would stay in the coop all day. He's now breeding with the native hens and it's a win/win situation on all sides.

 

[dauvau]

Thanks to everyone for your in put! We separated the roosters. And now we have a wild rooster hanging around the pen where the hens are. Apparently we have some mighty attractive girls. Guess we've decided to get some more hens.