Please help with advice with three Cockerels and five Hens

[dialup_2001]

I have eight beautiful birds who I love very much

Hammy - Black and White Polish Girl - 7 years old
Lulu - White Polish Girl - 7 years old
Freddie - Gold and Brown, backwards feathers, Girl Polish - 7 years old
Jet - Ginger Cockerel on the right - 6 years old
Worzel - White and light grey Cockerel Polish - 1 years old
Larry - Lightly darker grey and white Cockerell - 1 years old
Lottie - White Polish Girl - 1 years old
Clara - Grey Polish Girl - 1 years old

For years, few if any problems, then a week ago Larry decided to try taking on Jet, Jet put up a very good fight and tried to maintain his position, I reluctantly had to split them up a few times but wanted to let Jet win and Larry back down which was partially sucessful.

Then, yesterday Worzel (the biggest and on the left in the pic) joined forces with Larry and poor Jet didn't stand a chance and went from confident and number to a quivering wreck hiding his head in the corner of the coop and although Larry got pecked in the eyelid (trip to vet and all will heal and eyeball fine but eye shut for now) he still want to attack now not just Jet but pecking the others, Worzel then suddenly attacking for the first time Larry so as well as Jet!

Now I can understand that MAYBE they will sort themselves out but I have to think of poor Lulu and Hammy and Freddie who I believe are being over mated and loosing a few feathers on their heads from the way the Cockerels hold on to them.

I decided to separate Worzel and Larry from the others as poor Jet needs to recoverer from his aches and pains of being pecked and beaten up and kicked by the other two Cockerels AND THEN Worzel and Larry started on each other badly so I had to put them in cardboard boxes overnight!!!! and am having to buy a small run this morning and then put them together but split with a piece of chicken wire????

Help, I love these very much but feel I will have to rehome both Cockerels as the others are stable, old and not up to the overmating and pecking. I will pay for the lifetime care for Worzel and Larry and make sure they go to good homes where I can visit them.


Please advise.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, this is normal behavior. Yes it will get worse and not better if you if you leave them all togethe. Yes rehoming the roosters is a good idea.

Personally, I have never heard of maintaining them for life, and visiting chickens somewhere else. Chickens have a very small brain, and once they get used to the new place, they will be fine and will forget you.

I always manage my flock for the best of the flock as a whole, while I take good care of individual birds, sometimes there are birds that upset the harmony of the flock and those birds are removed.

Mrs K

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes, this is normal behavior. Yes it will get worse and not better if you if you leave them all togethe. Yes rehoming the roosters is a good idea.

Personally, I have never heard of maintaining them for life, and visiting chickens somewhere else. Chickens have a very small brain, and once they get used to the new place, they will be fine and will forget you.

I always manage my flock for the best of the flock as a whole, while I take good care of individual birds, sometimes there are birds that upset the harmony of the flock and those birds are removed.

Mrs K

Agreed - I am a "big picture" first person.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yes, this is normal behavior. Yes it will get worse and not better if you if you leave them all togethe. Yes rehoming the roosters is a good idea.

Personally, I have never heard of maintaining them for life, and visiting chickens somewhere else. Chickens have a very small brain, and once they get used to the new place, they will be fine and will forget you.

I always manage my flock for the best of the flock as a whole, while I take good care of individual birds, sometimes there are birds that upset the harmony of the flock and those birds are removed.

Mrs K

I agree with Mrs. K in trying to manage my flock as a whole (and everything else she said). I will also add that unfortunately, you my have a hard time finding a home for your roosters at all, let alone someone who is willing to maintain them for life and let you visit. As hard as it is, I would suggest that you find them a home and don't ask questions. Really - it will be easier that way in the long run.

 

[dialup_2001]

Ok, I have found a home for one of them, the new home is a really nice guy who I have bought a new house for today (£450) and will get two or three hens and put them together.

The second home is a possibility, I have agreed a regular donation to keep him well with other chickens and they said I am more than welcome to come and visit.

I am a true hearted person and would have nothing less and as for rehoming and not asking questions, well this would not happen.

Yes I am double standard as yes I eat chicken and blah blah but I really want the best for these birds.