How to manage two roosters?

[JC87]

We have two roosters, but no hens. Though they fight quite a lot, they are quite evenly matched, so both are plump and healthy at the moment. I would separate the two from the hens, as it works quite well for us.

 

[ducccky]

we have 2 roosters with 4 hens and they all seem to get along fine. they all grew up together. from time to time, i notice our roosters chasing each other and 1 might peck at the other, but it's not any worse than that. they both crow, 1 seems louder than the other, maybe that has something to do with dominance, but i'm not sure. we've been watching though in case things get worse and that we might have to separate a rooster out, but so far we haven't had to do that.

you though should watch the behavior of your roosters with the hens you have. if you're getting more in the spring, i'd watch them then too. sometimes adding new flock in can upset your current flock. i'm not saying don't add more, just watch the behaviors when you do add more.

 

[JHH3]

They might not fight, but keep an eye on them because they might object to the other mating with the hens. I had a couple that when one of them was mating a hen, the other would run over and peck both the rooster and hen on the head. A couple of times one of the roosters ran over and ran into the mating rooster and hen, knocking him off.

Didn't fight each other, but the hens got the worst of it from pecks on the head to torn flesh from spurs dragging when the rooster mating her was knocked off. Ended up having to pick a rooster to leave and one to stay just for the sake of the poor hens.

 

[Dvalland]

I have 3 roosters and 13 hens. The roosters were raised together and I often find them hanging out separately from the girls. All three crow, but only one rooster mates. The second rooster tries occasionally, but usually just takes a look or a few steps of chasing for him to remember the other rooster is boss. I honestly think part of the reason my hens get along so well is bc the roosters don’t let them get too out of hand with the bullying. I think that the most important things is to watch their behavior and get to know them. That way you will catch issues early. I also check them for missing feathers or peck marks on their combs to gauge how much bickering is going on.

 

[chickencoop57]

With two pairs. I would be more concerned with the hens be over mated. Rather than the roosters fighting. Even if you keep the pairs separate to keep the colors pure. I would add some more hens.

I've never heard of hen's being over-mated, unless you mean them loosing feathers from being topped, so much.

 

[chickencoop57]

They might not fight, but keep an eye on them because they might object to the other mating with the hens. I had a couple that when one of them was mating a hen, the other would run over and peck both the rooster and hen on the head. A couple of times one of the roosters ran over and ran into the mating rooster and hen, knocking him off.

Didn't fight each other, but the hens got the worst of it from pecks on the head to torn flesh from spurs dragging when the rooster mating her was knocked off. Ended up having to pick a rooster to leave and one to stay just for the sake of the poor hens.

You have the right answer, JHH3! Those were my thoughts, as well!

 

[chickencoop57]

I have two roosters that were hatched out of the incubator at the same time. They look almost like twins (they're part Ameraucana) and they're big at 7 months old. They were raised together and got along well, in amongst 12 hens, with the exceptional knocking each other off a hen, every now and then. Then I moved one to another pen area, with a few hens. However, I eventually put him back in the big pen area, with his brother and the fights began. The moral of story, don't separate them and definitely get some more hens!

 

[klb25]

After my entire flock was killed in a attack from a pack of raccoons or a weasel (not sure.) I decided to try again with chickens and long story short ended up getting a sliver, and Golden deathlayer pair. I have had them for around 5 days and so far and the sellar said they were raised together. But I know eventually they will start to fight. My question is what should I do when they start fighting? Should I separate them? Get more hens? Or just wait? View attachment 2902443View attachment 2902444

I have two roosters and they get along. One is definitely more assertive than the other, but they don't fight. I think it just depends on the roos, so time will tell!