Likelihood of cockerel behavior going into adulthood?

[CoconutCoffee]

My 2 oldest cockerels will be 20 weeks on Wednesday and have always been the dominate ones out of the bunch (got 23 chickens in Oct, 5 turned out to be male). Even before they full on hit puberty they were the dominate ones but are now full on a-holes, imo. They're in a separate section of the run and one of my olive eggers (17 weeks) got into it. They're separated by some netting and chicken wire, it's been excessively windy and stormy lately and something came loose allowing her access. At first I thought the most dominate of the two was mounting the other but they were taking turns with my OE. I got her away as fast as I could and she was a bit dazed afterward but now seems okay. My two oldest roosters (5 and 8 years old) have never acted like this. Even my 8 year old never had and he was a surprise roo with my first flock. Since these 2 are aging I wouldn't mind having good heirs but I dont want this behavior. The 5yo rooster these 2 were originally in with will break it up when one would grab a pullet but not much else. I separated them after 3 pullets would hide underneath the coop away from them.
I know behaviors can change a lot during this time but what are the odds of them actually turning out to be good roosters? How many have had ones act like this actually turn out to be worthwhile for the flock? Or nice ones of a similar age (I have 3 others who are not jerks who're 17-18 weeks) turn out to be disasters? The pullets these 3 are with seem to enjoy being around them. The cemani cockerel especially is sought out.

 

[azygous]

Cockerel behavior toward hens most often is a preview of what they will do as adults. Their behavior towards humans can change as we interact with our young cockerels and discipline them. Unfortunately, disciplining behavior toward hens isn't usually feasible.

Cockerels that are rough with the hens probably won't change all that much as they mature unless they have an older rooster take on disciplining them as they are learning their way around sex. I was lucky to be in this situation when I had a rooky cockerel that was rough on the hens when he started getting his hormones. His daddy took on teaching him to be nice to the hens, and now I have two gentleman roos.

 

[CoconutCoffee]

Cockerel behavior toward hens most often is a preview of what they will do as adults. Their behavior towards humans can change as we interact with our young cockerels and discipline them. Unfortunately, disciplining behavior toward hens isn't usually feasible.

Cockerels that are rough with the hens probably won't change all that much as they mature unless they have an older rooster take on disciplining them as they are learning their way around sex. I was lucky to be in this situation when I had a rooky cockerel that was rough on the hens when he started getting his hormones. His daddy took on teaching him to be nice to the hens, and now I have two gentleman roos.

Yeah, I expected to see this behavior from my 8yo given some things people said about roosters who mature with only their flock mates. I seriously lucked out with him and his son grew up with more hens to help teach him how to treat them. Genetics didn't hurt either. Adding more hens is the only thing I can think of that may help. I was about to a few weeks ago but time constraints and distance prevented it, I think it's doable but not ideal so would rather not right now. At this point I wouldn't mind getting rid of these 2. The other 3 (cemani, langshan, blrw) are much nicer to the pullets and respectful of the adults they're with. They're 17-18 weeks so could they turn into the "bash brothers" soon enough? I'm sorta afraid of that. Or my cemani cockerel was only being nice because these 2 were so assertive. The lang and blrw are in a separate pen so removing the bash bros shouldn't effect their behavior much if at all.

I have a coworker who can take them and any others if/when it comes down to it at least.

 

[ElizaMay]

A preview of adulthood, but they likely as a pair are reinforcing one znothers' Ahole behaviour. I'd separate the two, and rid myself of one of the more aggressive ones. I likely would not keep either, I have little patience for over-horomoned cockerels. But you could keep one separate and see if he settles, or put him in with a mature rooster to see if he'll get his ass properly whupped and trained.
Also could try putting him in a separate area with several of your *most* alpha hens for a while (If you have any). Hens have a lot to teach too, particularly boss-ladies who take no guff even from a less than polite mature roo.

 

[CoconutCoffee]

A preview of adulthood, but they likely as a pair are reinforcing one znothers' Ahole behaviour. I'd separate the two, and rid myself of one of the more aggressive ones. I likely would not keep either, I have little patience for over-horomoned cockerels. But you could keep one separate and see if he settles, or put him in with a mature rooster to see if he'll get his ass properly whupped and trained.
Also could try putting him in a separate area with several of your *most* alpha hens for a while (If you have any). Hens have a lot to teach too, particularly boss-ladies who take no guff even from a less than polite mature roo.

Didn't even think of them reinforcing one another as they were kinda jerky on their own when I have separated them (tho not for too long so i cant say how either are alone). They were finding ways back into their original run/coop so I had to plug those holes but while there I noticed my 5yo has been disciplining them more. I guess since the pullets are starting to come into lay (youngest are 18 weeks) he's viewing them as "his" more. He'd guard them, kick the 2 a-holes out of the coop, pull the aholes off if necessary, etc. I only have one adult hen (lost the rest in Sept) but my BLRW pullets have stood up to these 2. They only harass the smaller pullets.
I'm leaning more towards getting rid of them but want to give them a fair chance too.