Has anyone with acreage successfully created a 2nd flock with outcasts from the original flock?
Current drama:
I have three brothers who are 9 months old, half game. I keep an eye on them to make sure they never challenge the top rooster (American Game, Hatch). They sometimes spar between themselves, but it's never been serious since they were 6 weeks old.
Until yesterday. Maverick (fierce fighter at 6 wks old) and Nick (never a fighter) were going at each other. Nick submitted to Maverick and it was over. Then they fought again, and Big Red (top rooster, AG) broke them up. He went after each, and they each ran from him. I checked once more, a little later, to make sure all was peaceful, and it was.
Then, an hour or two later, I went outside and discovered Big Red standing over a dead Nick, pecking at his bloody head. Maverick was no where to be found.
I don't know which one killed Nick. Big Red had fought someone enough to be limping. The third brother (Iceman) had bloodstained feathers, but seemed fine and roosted with everyone like normal.
Late this morning, Maverick showed himself. He was very battered and being chased by both Big Red and Iceman. I shooed the other two away and got Mav into a crate. I guess he will survive, but he is in bad shape.
Maverick is a very good rooster, in my opinion. I regularly see him round up stray hens and bring them to safety when the alarm call is given. He has successfully wooed a little, low-ranking pullet. I've never seen him attempt to harass Big Red's favorite hens, or challenge Big Red in any obvious way. I wish I knew what really went down.
I'm wondering about the possibility of setting up Maverick and his girlfriend in a spot some distance away. I don't know anyone locally who would want a half-breed gamecock, and I'm afraid he will be killed if I keep him with the flock.
If he heals from his fight-wounds, it seems more useful to give him a chance at establishing his own flock. But I don't really know what I'm doing, here.
BTW: I was told by the breeder who sold me Big Red that he would not just suddenly snap and kill the other males, that I would see their fights escalating & I would notice that the younger male wasn't backing down, & that's how I would know it was time to separate them. I suspect Maverick is the instigator, somehow, but I can't read chicken behavior enough to know.
