My roosters were friends but now they hate eachother

[Chook-Beard the Pirate]

hello, i have had 2 roosters for over a year now with minimal issues, they've had some scuffles but never anything serious, they were best buds but recently we got a third chicken, we are unsure of their gender, everything was fine for a few months but now the roosters have been fighting each other almost nonstop and drawing a fair amount of blood. again, everything was fine until about one day ago, they still call out to each other when they find food but then when they get close enough to each other they go at it again. we are attached to all of them so getting rid of one isn't an option. how do i get them to stop fighting?

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

If getting rid of one is not an option, then I would suggest separating one away from the rest of the flock.

 

[Party_Chicken]

If I miss read this please correct me but do you only have three chickens?

 

[Chook-Beard the Pirate]

If getting rid of one is not an option, then I would suggest separating one away from the rest of the flock.

you mean temporarily or permanently?

If I miss read this please correct me but do you only have three chickens?

yes, i only have three, but the roosters were best friends, barely any issues at all

 

[NanaK]

i only have three, but the roosters were best friends, barely any issues at all

How old is the new bird?
Can you post a photo of the new bird?

If the new bird is female, your roosters are fighting over her. This probably will get intense with time. They can injure her by over mating her and could possibly injure or kill her.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

By my calculation, the problem is likely, two guys + one girl = bar brawl.

 

[Shadrach]

It would seem the new addition is the cause of the problem. The solution is to rehome the newest arrival.

 

[fluffycrow]

The hierarchy does get rearranged every time a new bird comes in the flock. Now, you have three options.



1. Give away one male, and get a few more hens

2. Give away the new bird/pullet

3. If the new bird is also a cockerel, let them work things out. Batchelor flocks usually work

 

[sdm111]

Roosters are very territorial and one of 2 things will happen. Either one will submit and let the other be alpha and stay his distance or one will end up dead. not separating or getting rid of one is selfish. That's not in the best interest of the chickens.

 

[Party_Chicken]

you mean temporarily or permanently?

yes, i only have three, but the roosters were best friends, barely any issues at all

It sounds like they are fighting over the third chicken who I believe is a hen based on this behavior. I would get some more hens for the cockerels they will still fight for a bit but one will establishe dominance over the other. They are fighting over the hen and if you don’t separate them or get more hens they could seriously injure each other.