Keeping Two Roosters

tdgill

Crowing
13 Years
Jan 28, 2009
3,035
63
346
Cecil Co. MD - 5Yrs. Chickens 4Yrs. Ducks
ugghhh I continue to make this more work for myself.... lol

Since I wasn't planning on keeping any roosters, then thought that I could keep ONE, then caved in to pressure from bf and mom to keep the other since he was SO HANDSOME - I didn't do enough reading as to HOW to KEEP TWO roosters. I was sure tho, that the only way to keep 2 roos with 5 hens would be separate flocks, since there are barely enough hens to keep one rooster happy. Not that I was correct in my assumption of course. I caught the buff orp on top of the copper roo one time, not sure what he was trying to do, but it really scared me, dont want a cockfight

What bums me out is that I could clearly tell early on that one was dominant (buff orp) and the black copper marans was sub. And now that they have their own hens, the black copper is getting more brave. So I've increased the hostility I'm sure...I can see the changes in their behavior and such and that i've messed with mother natures set up - if i were to do it again well who knows. I really only kept the second rooster from outside influences - thanks mom, we're doing ok as is but i know it won't be easy for me to mix them now, even if i should? they are 5 and 6 months old, the black copper has 3 hens, the buff has 2. so i still thought the fellas SHOULD have a couple more hens but not jumping into it just yet. Trying not to.


"You think like him so much mom, YOU have him." lol didnt work
 
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At that age the roos should still be able to get along. I'd join both
flocks and let one roo become the dominant one again. It may be
violent at first but it should calm down.
 
Sure, there's a possibility they could all learn their places in this little flock and all get along nicely. It would be worth it to give them time and see what results.

But I think that even more likely than the roos fighting is that the hens will be worn out from too much attention from both the roos. One roo could wear out 5 hens, but with two there may be times when one roo will be mating and the other will bump him off so that he can also climb on the hen.

You may need to either get 15-20 more hens, or invite one of those roos in to dinner. I know how easy it is to get attatched to these birds, especially when they're so doggone good looking! But instead of thinking "What a shame to butcher such a handsome bird" I like to think "Isn't it nice that my meat comes wrapped in such an attractive package!"
 
as always I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions. Sure does help the thought processes even if they are completely opposite opinions. Keeping an open mind. Thanks again!
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at this time there doesn't seem to be over excessive mating going on. Will that change with age? or would they become more active trying to claim all the hens for themselves when I combine the flocks?
 
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Heya,

Trying to cut down threads and saw this one and wanted to chime in. I have a flock of 6. 2 roos, 4 hens. They're all at 17 weeks now. One of the roos just started crowing in the last week and a half. He is obviously the dominant, with the other roo refraining from dancing / courting / aggressive signs. Is it safe for me to keep 2 roos with soo few hens?

If culling is the best option, should I get rid of the dominant one, or the passive one?

Any help would be awesome!
 
what i am gathering is that it's not necessarily fighting (especially if they've been raised together - but overuse on the hens that might be my problem. These two that i have left were not raised together really...what i am trying to find out now, is if the roos will become more romantic and mate more often since they have competition so to speak. I'm not seeing too much mating or feather loss at this time, but my roos dont have their spurs yet either...so maybe thats when the feather loss etc, becomes more of an issue. now that my hens have started laying, they are more submissive to the roos and give in quicker to their desires. but boy was it tough watching them get the hang of things.

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I orignally had three roos, but was able to answer a post on my local chicken fanciers website and rehomed one of my buff orps. He was a sibling to the one i still have and they were the best of buddies. the family that adopted him were delighted to have him (for free) and he's now one of their favorites. Their ten year old carries him around like a baby and plans on showing him at the fair. I am so glad he has a good home.
 
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after you see what the roosters do to your poor little hens...then you wont hesitate to invite one to dinner...unless you expand your hen flock...my brother has 1 roo to 15 hens and they hardly have any feathers left on them...he's inviting his to dinner
 
when does this happen? not until the spurs come in? I love my roos too much, not that i don't love my hens too...but what about just having rooster "dates" i will do whatever i can to keep both my boys... and whatever i need to do to keep everyone happy!!! With a small flock of pet chickens I am sure that saddles would be not so hard to do...but then again I am still learning and relearning as i go!
 
if it were me...then there is no doubt..i would have an excuse to get more chickens...lots and lots of chickens...and lots more of chickens:p
 
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I was wondering about "chicken dates" too. What if the roos had their own pen and just let them mingle during free ranging time. Would each roo need his own pen or could I house them together? Or would it depend on how well they got along?
 

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