Lethargic Rooster after losing a fight

[Toffael]

This is Stripey, one of my 6-month-old roosters. Three days ago, he was attacked by our other rooster, Ebony. Stripey tried to fight back but lost. He ended up with some small bloody wounds on his face and comb. He has since submitted to any further provocations and Ebony also hasn’t pursued with any further violence.

Since then, he seems very different—When i let him out to free range he’s much quieter, withdrawn from the flock, lacks energy, and appears weak.

Normally, he pecks mealworms hard from my hand, but today he was nibbling gently and slowly, even letting smaller hens take food from him, which he’s never done before.

What worries me most is that I saw him sleeping on one foot and even curled up on the ground (video attached). He usually sleeps on one of the perches, but now he seems to be intimidated by the other rooster to join the flock on the perches.

I think he might be feeling down or “depressed,” but could he also be sick or injured?

How concerned should i be and How can I help him get better?

 

[sourland]

Very likely the only thing that will help him is physical separation from the other cockerel. In a flock a dominant male can cause lowered hormone levels in the subordinates.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Agreed that’s pretty normal behavior after one rooster asserts dominance and the other submits. In many cases he becomes his own flock staying away from the dominant roosters harem. Sometimes if there are enough hens the lower in the pecking order hens will join the subordinate rooster, but until that happens he will be quiet off on his own and most likely not perching unless the dominant rooster allows it.

 

[Toffael]

Very likely the only thing that will help him is physical separation from the other cockerel. In a flock a dominant male can cause lowered hormone levels in the subordinates.

thanks for your advice. do you short term or permanently?

also does that mean a totally seperate physical structure?

or can i block off a 2m2 space within the main run? i can shut off 3 sides from view and leave one side with a caged wire in front. i can also enclose 2 hens dir company. that way he can still see and hear the flock and they can see and hear him too?

how long for?

 

[Toffael]

Agreed that’s pretty normal behavior after one rooster asserts dominance and the other submits. In many cases he becomes his own flock staying away from the dominant roosters harem. Sometimes if there are enough hens the lower in the pecking order hens will join the subordinate rooster, but until that happens he will be quiet off on his own and most likely not perching unless the dominant rooster allows it.

thanks . what will happen if he permanently remove the other dominant rooster? he’s quite aggressive to my nephew and obviously drawn blood from Stripey.

 

[sourland]

thanks . what will happen if he permanently remove the other dominant rooster? he’s quite aggressive to my nephew and obviously drawn blood from Stripey.

Human aggressive? Kids involved? Time for soup or a new home. You really don't need 2 cockerels. Why not just keep the best?

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

This is Stripey, one of my 6-month-old roosters. Three days ago, he was attacked by our other rooster, Ebony. Stripey tried to fight back but lost. He ended up with some small bloody wounds on his face and comb. He has since submitted to any further provocations and Ebony also hasn’t pursued with any further violence.

Since then, he seems very different—When i let him out to free range he’s much quieter, withdrawn from the flock, lacks energy, and appears weak.

Normally, he pecks mealworms hard from my hand, but today he was nibbling gently and slowly, even letting smaller hens take food from him, which he’s never done before.

What worries me most is that I saw him sleeping on one foot and even curled up on the ground (video attached). He usually sleeps on one of the perches, but now he seems to be intimidated by the other rooster to join the flock on the perches.

I think he might be feeling down or “depressed,” but could he also be sick or injured?

How concerned should i be and How can I help him get better?

Hi! I just had a similar issue literally today with two of my roosters. My OG rooster, General, who is top of the pecking order, got into a fight with a much younger male. He separated himself and went into the coop and into a nesting box. I got him out of there to examine the extent of injuries and bring him in the garage in a dog kennel for now bc he was basically crying. May I ask how things faired for you and your flock after the altercation? What actions did you take, for how long? Or was it a permanent change? Thank you in advance for your reply! I really hope Stripey is doing better and has rejoined the flock.