Raising Roosters together?

[Chook Kingdom]

I'm wondering if I could keep more than one rooster? I had four last year but they all fought. I am always shocked when I go to my friends farm and see dozens of roosters together. Is it just random or breed?

 

[keesmom]

It depends on the number of hens one has, how much room they have to get away from each other, and the individual temperaments of the males involved.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

It is possible, but takes training. I have 4 roosters left. 2 are in the main run/coop, and I had to train them to not fight. A water hose and 1 hour of cold showers helped a bunch.
The other roosters.....don't really mingle, but I have to keep one separate because he likes to find the others to fight with. He is also getting cold showers......
He'll learn. Eventually.

 

[Bine]

Keesmom is right. Some breeds have very calm roosters and live quite happy side by side if you have a lot of room and hens.

 

[Chook Kingdom]

Thanks for the info! One of mine is a bantam, no fighting from him. The other one is an Americana and he is always challenging my Jersey Giant rooster. They are both divided, but still get their heads through the wire, mingling each others face! Well I hope it ends sooner or later

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Nah. It won't. That's what they are supposed to do. It is typical rooster behavior. I just convinced mine that they really didn't want any more cold showers

 

[Chook Kingdom]

Ya, I was reading last night that if you separate them they just carry on where they left off. The person did recommend putting the two together and see the dominate, and well if their matched slaughter the one you don't want.

 

[Chook Kingdom]

I free range one of them to stop it, it is starting to get less aggressive

 

[One Chick Two]

Chook Kingdom, It is possible to have roosters living together peacefully, and be human friendly. I might think about pairing your Jersey Giant and the bantam (not all bantams are fiesty.). We have had good results with peaceful large fowl with friendly bantams.

To have multiple roosters, you will need to watch for issues, grow them up together and have plenty of space with places to get away from others. Some breeds work better together. (For instance, Games are more likely to fight each other more. Jersey Giants, Marans and Cochins are generally docile and peaceful.) Have about 10 hens per male. Watch to see if someone does not fit in... a fighter, being bullied. etc. You are striving for a harmonious mix. We have some males who are mild enough in disposition they can be put in with any of the males here. You have to analyze how each male interacts with others.

This is part of our freerange flock. 3-4 males will often go in groups to different areas with hens, or a large group may have many males to watch out. They sleep together, and hang out together as friends. They are all human friendly, some ask to be held. It can be possible. Just takes watchfulness for problems with careful management.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I need all of my 4 roosters unfortunately. 2 for the larger flock in the main coop. I only let the hens out who lay eggs and know where they are supposed to lay them. Then, one or the other rooster goes out to help. My preference is for 2 roosters for free ranging. One for the front of the coop (it is in a large tin shed), and one to watch then ones who go out behind, in the back woods area.
The other two roosters are in breeding pairs. So they don't mingle with the main roosters as often. The Barred Rock rooster I can't allow with the others as he is the most aggressive. Never has flogged or attacked a human though. They are all good roosters and have great rooster skills.
I had to cull #5 last fall as he just wasn't contributing to the flock. He wanted to fight the BR rooster, and be a midwife to the ladies laying eggs. That was it.
So he finally went to freezer camp.