Pecked Rooster

[M Brennen]

Personally I haven’t ever used any thing to deter chickens from pecking each other but have heard of people using toothpaste or blue kote

I do have blue kote. I can try that, thank you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I do have blue kote. I can try that, thank you.

You can use.. it isn't usually needed. Sometimes it helps others not so much. He looks just fine. Pine tar, etc.. to what avail.. doesn't look like you have an issue for real to me.. rather not create an added issue. That is a minor surface wound and the skin is an amazing organ protecting all our gushy insides and capable of healing itself!

Your gender ratio sounds fine, depending on individual personalities. None qualify as roosters and hormones will still continue to change as may their willingness to share and or tolerate each other's presence. It may go through phases and spurts. Your space sounds okay, though I wouldn't say ideal for that number of birds long term and certainly not in their age range. Any enrichment you can add should be good.

The bantam.. had his hormones kick in first giving him first confidence.. the others will be up and coming and test their boundaries.. I've seen tiny Silkies put Marans and others on the run. Removing one when ALL are still maturing and changing hormone levels.. sometimes just invites the next most hormonal guy to step into the "top" role. In this instance it might be nice that the little guy feels good starting out.. but it's never been an issue for me keeping bantam and large fowl cockerels and roosters together.

Sounds like you have a basically good grasp on things though!

If aseels get into bad fights they will fight till death and kill each other

First, what was described didn't sound anything to ME like a bad fight. So I gave what I felt was appropriate response based on MY assessment of the situation and according to MY previous experience with a multitude of differing factors.. for what I STILL feel will give the best outcome for the original poster.

Kept under human conditions, SURE some animals may fight to the death. Under a natural circumstance a bird that dies won't be able to spread their seed or further their line so extinction of their genetics would be a dire consequence that just doesn't line up.. Avoidance by the loser.. and clear signal of avoidance given to the aggressor stops fights. The wounded crawls away and licks their wounds.. but survives another day to propagate.. their ultimate goal.. ALL animals goals are two things.. eat.. mate. How many things in nature will actually fight to the death on a regular basis?? Of course eliminating the competition would be an effective means of furthering one's own genetics.. what you are describing is simply not what I've seen OUTSIDE of our domestic settings.

Thank you kindly though.. for sharing your experience and cause for concern as to WHY... YOU suggest separation and my suggestion of non separation appears to be in direct opposition.. WE all have reasons we do what we do.. and what works for some may or may not work for others.. by sharing folks can try and see what works best for THEM. And we all learn from each other.

If separation is ever given with intention of reunification.. in sight with look but don't touch can be useful.. with roosters or any chicken actively fighting through a fence.. both can be injured and both walk away frustrated having not settled anything.. coming back to do it again and again.. once fighting has begun.. best let it be resolved sooner than dragging it out.. If I NEED separation of two boys.. at least one if not both will be taking a long hot soak with aromatic veggies on the stove top. My flock, my rules.. We all get along here.

Using a stag pen.. to let cockerels mature a bit together.. since I'm never as few as 3 is helpful. With a 3/41 ratio.. I would let it work itself out.. and expect it to.. with patience and keeper support as described previously through enrichment toys, activities, etc... even going in and moving feed and water to a new spot.. just messing with the program gives them a mind set change.. disrupts territories a little, creates new things to explore in the same old space.. Catch me, here? The saying idle hand are the devil's play ground.. all bored animals look for trouble.

Cockerels/roosters serve 3 purposes here.. the first is eye candy/keeper pleasure.. the second is breeding.. to hatch chicks. The third is eating..

Since I'm not raising game cock.. attitude of fowl towards other birds and survival of the fittest.. those that fit in the most.. and cause the least amount of antagonism among the flock are the one who are kept.. once allowed to mature. But some are Stew Pidasso's way early in life.. and despite bullying essentially being and indicator of prepotency according to my research.. I select hard for demeanor in my flock.. But as I write this.. and process what I just said fully.. maybe I should select FOR bully's the opposite of my current strategy.. I like the concept rules with an iron beak but firm and steady not outrageously and brutally.. See, now you've REALLY got me thinking.. I value this process.. I like having my thoughts challenged.. THIS personal growth is the ultimate payoff.. the community and helping and being helped is feel good stuff that's therapeutic.. but the DEEP stuff, I swear is what keeps me coming back!

 

[M Brennen]

You can use.. it isn't usually needed. Sometimes it helps others not so much. He looks just fine. Pine tar, etc.. to what avail.. doesn't look like you have an issue for real to me.. rather not create an added issue. That is a minor surface wound and the skin is an amazing organ protecting all our gushy insides and capable of healing itself!

Your gender ratio sounds fine, depending on individual personalities. None qualify as roosters and hormones will still continue to change as may their willingness to share and or tolerate each other's presence. It may go through phases and spurts. Your space sounds okay, though I wouldn't say ideal for that number of birds long term and certainly not in their age range. Any enrichment you can add should be good.

The bantam.. had his hormones kick in first giving him first confidence.. the others will be up and coming and test their boundaries.. I've seen tiny Silkies put Marans and others on the run. Removing one when ALL are still maturing and changing hormone levels.. sometimes just invites the next most hormonal guy to step into the "top" role. In this instance it might be nice that the little guy feels good starting out.. but it's never been an issue for me keeping bantam and large fowl cockerels and roosters together.

Sounds like you have a basically good grasp on things though!


First, what was described didn't sound anything to ME like a bad fight. So I gave what I felt was appropriate response based on MY assessment of the situation and according to MY previous experience with a multitude of differing factors.. for what I STILL feel will give the best outcome for the original poster.

Kept under human conditions, SURE some animals may fight to the death. Under a natural circumstance a bird that dies won't be able to spread their seed or further their line so extinction of their genetics would be a dire consequence that just doesn't line up.. Avoidance by the loser.. and clear signal of avoidance given to the aggressor stops fights. The wounded crawls away and licks their wounds.. but survives another day to propagate.. their ultimate goal.. ALL animals goals are two things.. eat.. mate. How many things in nature will actually fight to the death on a regular basis?? Of course eliminating the competition would be an effective means of furthering one's own genetics.. what you are describing is simply not what I've seen OUTSIDE of our domestic settings.

Thank you kindly though.. for sharing your experience and cause for concern as to WHY... YOU suggest separation and my suggestion of non separation appears to be in direct opposition.. WE all have reasons we do what we do.. and what works for some may or may not work for others.. by sharing folks can try and see what works best for THEM. And we all learn from each other.

If separation is ever given with intention of reunification.. in sight with look but don't touch can be useful.. with roosters or any chicken actively fighting through a fence.. both can be injured and both walk away frustrated having not settled anything.. coming back to do it again and again.. once fighting has begun.. best let it be resolved sooner than dragging it out.. If I NEED separation of two boys.. at least one if not both will be taking a long hot soak with aromatic veggies on the stove top. My flock, my rules.. We all get along here.

Using a stag pen.. to let cockerels mature a bit together.. since I'm never as few as 3 is helpful. With a 3/41 ratio.. I would let it work itself out.. and expect it to.. with patience and keeper support as described previously through enrichment toys, activities, etc... even going in and moving feed and water to a new spot.. just messing with the program gives them a mind set change.. disrupts territories a little, creates new things to explore in the same old space.. Catch me, here? The saying idle hand are the devil's play ground.. all bored animals look for trouble.

Cockerels/roosters serve 3 purposes here.. the first is eye candy/keeper pleasure.. the second is breeding.. to hatch chicks. The third is eating..

Since I'm not raising game cock.. attitude of fowl towards other birds and survival of the fittest.. those that fit in the most.. and cause the least amount of antagonism among the flock are the one who are kept.. once allowed to mature. But some are Stew Pidasso's way early in life.. and despite bullying essentially being and indicator of prepotency according to my research.. I select hard for demeanor in my flock.. But as I write this.. and process what I just said fully.. maybe I should select FOR bully's the opposite of my current strategy.. I like the concept rules with an iron beak but firm and steady not outrageously and brutally.. See, now you've REALLY got me thinking.. I value this process.. I like having my thoughts challenged.. THIS personal growth is the ultimate payoff.. the community and helping and being helped is feel good stuff that's therapeutic.. but the DEEP stuff, I swear is what keeps me coming back!

Thank you both Danish Aseels and EggSighted4Life for all the advice. I do plan to free range my birds next year, but am keeping them close to home for the winter. I’ll try the blue kote to see if it makes any difference. He had beautiful wattles, but lately they are looking ragged and beat up. I’m just hoping to protect them from further damage.

 

[M Brennen]

I used the Blue Kote last night.I thought it looked good this morning, but this evening it looked worse than before. I have cleaned it and put some antibiotic ointment tonight hoping that through the night (in the dark) it will work it’s magic. I’m not sure what else to do, but his beautiful wattles are looking a mess. I have not seen the other rooster bother him, but I have seen some hens pecking at him. I really don’t want to separate him and have him lose his place in the order. He can be pretty bossy with the girls. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.