Fighting in the bachelor pad

[VJK]

I searched posts but ran out of time... so please forgive if this is a redundant question. I ended up with 2 roosters a year ago, so built a separate coop and run (about 12x30) for them. They have gotten along beautifully all year until today. There's a lot of blood and one ends up in a corner with the other on his back. Both seem to start the fights and I tried breaking them up several times (stood between them and pushed them apart, carried them around, etc.) until I twice ended up separating them by locking one in the coop for them to cool down. The hen run is about 35 feet away but they can still see them. Do you think this "out of the blue" fighting is because they are still competing for hens in sight yet out of reach? Wondering if I should block off the fence so they can't see the ladies? Thanks for any advice!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Do you think this "out of the blue" fighting is because they are still competing for hens in sight yet out of reach? Wondering if I should block off the fence so they can't see the ladies?

That doesn't change the fighting.

They will either need to work it out or one of them has to go. They always get along until they don't. Your separating them might be prolonging the fight.

Think of it this way... I never lived long term with my siblings without having some disagreements.

This time of year.. hormones are raging.. and they've got LOTS of energy to expend. If there is a low enough boy on the pecking order... he becomes the mate and may be mounted over and over... or they may even mount each other. Keeping a stag pen is NOT all peaches and cream the way some would lead us to believe!

Add in more visual barriers if possible. More feeders and more enrichment.. like digging in a compost pile or hanging corn on the cob or cabbage for them to jump at.

Also, for what it's worth.. stag pens are actually a bit more peaceful with MORE boys, in MY experience... it spreads the pecking order out. So when one starts something another comes around and it looks a lot like a pool ball table reaction...

If things don't settle down, you might consider splitting your stag pen in half so each get their own space. Even though they are alone they will be in sight and sound of each other.

But, do keep in mind that it can look like a whole lot of blood when it *may* not be as bad as it appears.

For me.. If I get one relentless boy going after another.. I put the chase and beat down to the one doing the chasing and beating down. My version is using a long pvc pipe and tapping it behind them.. until their focus is redirected at least for the moment. Hear the saying that the best defense is a good offense?? It's true... you go on the offensive until they are now having a healthy (not excessive) fear for their own safety. Sometimes I DO wallop them if needed, being sure that I'm in control and NOT just swinging wildly with frustration. It doesn't need to hurt them it just needs to startle them to snap their brain into a different place. That whole carrying thing MIGHT help attacks directed at you but it will likely do nothing for their personal disagreements.

Honestly.. it's always trial and error to see what works since all birds are individuals. If all else fails.. depending what breeds you're working with.. you might be able to use something like Pinless Peepers.

The MORE human intervention... if they are staying together... the longer it will be drawn out. Humans are not part of the pecking order equation and them boys have very one track minds.

Hope this helps some!

 

[centrarchid]

I have have several together rather than 2 or 3 to reduce odds of serious fights in bachelor pad.

Split them.

 

[VJK]

That doesn't change the fighting.

They will either need to work it out or one of them has to go. They always get along until they don't. Your separating them might be prolonging the fight.

Think of it this way... I never lived long term with my siblings without having some disagreements.

This time of year.. hormones are raging.. and they've got LOTS of energy to expend. If there is a low enough boy on the pecking order... he becomes the mate and may be mounted over and over... or they may even mount each other. Keeping a stag pen is NOT all peaches and cream the way some would lead us to believe!

Add in more visual barriers if possible. More feeders and more enrichment.. like digging in a compost pile or hanging corn on the cob or cabbage for them to jump at.

Also, for what it's worth.. stag pens are actually a bit more peaceful with MORE boys, in MY experience... it spreads the pecking order out. So when one starts something another comes around and it looks a lot like a pool ball table reaction...

If things don't settle down, you might consider splitting your stag pen in half so each get their own space. Even though they are alone they will be in sight and sound of each other.

But, do keep in mind that it can look like a whole lot of blood when it *may* not be as bad as it appears.

For me.. If I get one relentless boy going after another.. I put the chase and beat down to the one doing the chasing and beating down. My version is using a long pvc pipe and tapping it behind them.. until their focus is redirected at least for the moment. Hear the saying that the best defense is a good offense?? It's true... you go on the offensive until they are now having a healthy (not excessive) fear for their own safety. Sometimes I DO wallop them if needed, being sure that I'm in control and NOT just swinging wildly with frustration. It doesn't need to hurt them it just needs to startle them to snap their brain into a different place. That whole carrying thing MIGHT help attacks directed at you but it will likely do nothing for their personal disagreements.

Honestly.. it's always trial and error to see what works since all birds are individuals. If all else fails.. depending what breeds you're working with.. you might be able to use something like Pinless Peepers.

The MORE human intervention... if they are staying together... the longer it will be drawn out. Humans are not part of the pecking order equation and them boys have very one track minds.

Hope this helps some!

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I panicked and put up a visual barrier between the 2 runs just in case, before I had a chance to check my computer again. The thought of adding to the flock is a bit scary (afraid I'm adding more trouble!) But I do understand how it might spread out the stress and focus a bit more. And now that people getting chicks are finding out their "pullet only flock" actually has surprise roosters in it, a couple more to add should be easy to find! Their coop is about 5 x 7 so could fit maybe 2 more in? I will add more visual blocks and activities in their run also- good advice. They have ladders and ramps, things to jump up on, and a dust bath- but it feels open. I may have to consider dividing the coop and run if nothing else seems to work (sigh). They have been getting along wonderfully for a year so I thought it would be smooth sailing.

 

[VJK]

I have have several together rather than 2 or 3 to reduce odds of serious fights in bachelor pad.

Split them.

Thank you for the advice. It seems like 2 in a flock may not be working (would 4 be enough?). My space is limited and the size of the run in the winter shrinks from the snow here in MN- so afraid to overcrowd them and cause more problems. If I can figure out a way to divide the coop so I can still get inside both halves- and divide the run, I may try that. Whew. Didn't know the trouble I'd have when my son talked me into getting 4 "pullets" to add to my small flock last year!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Didn't know the trouble I'd have when my son talked me into getting 4 "pullets" to add to my small flock last year!

If you guys eat chicken.. consider re-homing them. Craigslist farm and garden section is where I see lots of action. They might find a flock of their own. Or there is no shame in letting them feed someone else's family or pets and state clearly that you don't want to know about it it if it bothers you or your son. Most folks who process their own chicken have the skill to do so as humanely and quickly as possible causing the least amount of trauma to the bird.

Although having more boys spreads the antics out... adding them in may not be that easy... both your boys may go on the attack to the new comer. When adding in boys to my stag pen.. I usually do several at a time and when they are still very young and not yet ready to step up to the older boys. In this manner

Honestly.. keeping a stag pen is a challenge I would not choose if I weren't breeding or eating them. But I do understand we all have reasons why we make certain choices. Does your son get to hang out with the boys and actually enjoy interacting with them?

 

[VJK]

If you guys eat chicken.. consider re-homing them. Craigslist farm and garden section is where I see lots of action. They might find a flock of their own. Or there is no shame in letting them feed someone else's family or pets and state clearly that you don't want to know about it it if it bothers you or your son. Most folks who process their own chicken have the skill to do so as humanely and quickly as possible causing the least amount of trauma to the bird.

Although having more boys spreads the antics out... adding them in may not be that easy... both your boys may go on the attack to the new comer. When adding in boys to my stag pen.. I usually do several at a time and when they are still very young and not yet ready to step up to the older boys. In this manner

Honestly.. keeping a stag pen is a challenge I would not choose if I weren't breeding or eating them. But I do understand we all have reasons why we make certain choices. Does your son get to hang out with the boys and actually enjoy interacting with them?

Thanks for your response. I should have added that my son was 26 and was living in an apartment for a few months above our barn! So no attachment there, now. I'm a hobby farmer (2 years in now and still lots to learn!). All of our animals are rescues and/or pets so couldn't bring myself to re-home the roosters for eating. Hopefully desperation won't set in but I do understand it may be an option in the future if I exhaust all other possibilities.

My roosters are a year old now so maybe a bit established to add a couple more? The fighting is hard to see and I can't stay in the run all day to break them up. If they don't settle back into their routine soon, I will think about giving it a try- though don't want to end up trying to have 2 separate coops/runs if it fails!

I'm quite humbled now. It had been going so well that I encouraged others to try a rooster only flock with their unwanted roosters - overly hopeful and confident newbie mistake. I did a lot of reading on this site to help me understand the rooster mindset so felt ready. They went at it off and on all day yesterday, then snuggled up on the roost together last night. I don't understand what's going on in their brains!!!

 

[Folly's place]

Never forget that their brains are way smaller then their testicles!!!
Adding more roosters may make thing worse, not better,: you will just have more frustrated fighting birds!
@EggSighted4Life and @centrarchid covered it all very well already. I don't have a rooster flock, my birds all have to get along in the main flock, or they leave, either to another home, or to the freezer. We do eat chicken!
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Thank you for the advice. It seems like 2 in a flock may not be working (would 4 be enough?). My space is limited and the size of the run in the winter shrinks from the snow here in MN- so afraid to overcrowd them and cause more problems. If I can figure out a way to divide the coop so I can still get inside both halves- and divide the run, I may try that. Whew. Didn't know the trouble I'd have when my son talked me into getting 4 "pullets" to add to my small flock last year!

I am used to the challenges associated with bachelor flocks. The mininum number I run in a group is for but cannot handle more than 10 when using my 10 x 10 dog kennels. I have only been combining adults in the fall after peak of breeding season as they are less motivated to fight. When combing cockerels that are not yet fully into adult feathering, everything is easier.

Based on what I understand about your housing, I would pen the two roosters separately and make so they cannot fight through pen walls. Whenever possible I keep at least one back up rooster in case first has something bad happen to him. Same also done with hen side to prevent loss of everything.

One of my favorite things to do is have a good rooster penned with a good hen so they can keep me in hatching eggs for immediate use as backup.

 

[VJK]

Never forget that their brains are way smaller then their testicles!!!
Adding more roosters may make thing worse, not better,: you will just have more frustrated fighting birds!
@EggSighted4Life and @centrarchid covered it all very well already. I don't have a rooster flock, my birds all have to get along in the main flock, or they leave, either to another home, or to the freezer. We do eat chicken!
Mary

Thanks Mary!!! I'm finding that out! Today was much better- started off with the challenging of each other but remainder of the day has been uneventful so far. I did cut up a tarp and hung it along the hen run so the roosters couldn't see the ladies so wondering if that helped (they usually spend the day looking in their direction). Our hen flock has only 6 hens and too many predators in our area to let them free range.

I am used to the challenges associated with bachelor flocks. The mininum number I run in a group is for but cannot handle more than 10 when using my 10 x 10 dog kennels. I have only been combining adults in the fall after peak of breeding season as they are less motivated to fight. When combing cockerels that are not yet fully into adult feathering, everything is easier.

Based on what I understand about your housing, I would pen the two roosters separately and make so they cannot fight through pen walls. Whenever possible I keep at least one back up rooster in case first has something bad happen to him. Same also done with hen side to prevent loss of everything.

One of my favorite things to do is have a good rooster penned with a good hen so they can keep me in hatching eggs for immediate use as backup.

Thanks again! Today was much better but if tomorrow they go back to wanting to kill each other, I will separate them until I can split their run. Hoping they can share a coop if I leave their door open at night (but that might be risky). And thanks for advising me on when is the best time to add to the flock if we go that route. So much to learn!