Reintegrating Roosters After Fight

[rjmcdonald24]

Hi. We have two pekin batam roosters in our flock. They were raised together and got along until recently when one went wandering (and was away for 2 nights). When we got him back, the 2 males had a fight which was quite vicious (their combs took a beating and are now scabbed over).

We’ve put them in separate dog crates and are keeping them next to each other (so they can see each other but not fight) while they heal. They’re also put with the flock during the day (still in their crates).

Does anyone have any advice for reintegrating them with the flock and with each other?

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
How many birds total do you have and what size if their coop?

 

[rjmcdonald24]

2 males, 2 females (picking up a couple, more females soon as the two males were unexpected- we got them thinking they’d been sexed as female). They free range during the day (large garden). Coop is about a metre square (but only used for laying/sleeping obviously). It’s got a run attached but we don’t keep them in it during the day as it would be too small.

 

[Eggcessive]

Cockerels and roosters can fight when both become mature. Bantams tend to be more likely to fight, and in many breeds you may not be able to keep them together. An exception was my d’uccle rooster who was very subordinate, and the others would leave him alone with his little mate. You may need to keep the roosters separate, or rehome one. Most rooster do well with 8-10 hens, or they can overmate and drive the hens crazy. An alternative would be to rotate the roosters with the hens, while keeping one put up.

 

[rjmcdonald24]

Cockerels and roosters can fight when both become mature. Bantams tend to be more likely to fight, and in many breeds you may not be able to keep them together. An exception was my d’uccle rooster who was very subordinate, and the others would leave him alone with his little mate. You may need to keep the roosters separate, or rehome one. Most rooster do well with 8-10 hens, or they can overmate and drive the hens crazy. An alternative would be to rotate the roosters with the hens, while keeping one put up.

Thank you

 

[DobieLover]

They are going to fight again. It could be that the first time one of the males left, he was driven off by the other.
There will always be a dominant male and submissive males when there are more than one in the flock.
Multiple males can learn to get along if they have plenty of resources (females, space, structure, food, etc.) but fighting is normal, especially when the days start getting longer and the females start to lay again.
Some males will never get along until one is driven off or dead. The submissive just does not want to be in that role.
There is a lot involved and it all boils down to the individual personalities of the 2 birds in question in their unique situation.

 

[rjmcdonald24]

Welcome to BYC!
How many birds total do you have and what size if their coop?

Sorry- didn’t post as a reply before!

2 males, 2 females (picking up a couple, more females soon as the two males were unexpected- we got them thinking they’d been sexed as female). They free range during the day (large garden). Coop is about a metre square (but only used for laying/sleeping obviously). It’s got a run attached but we don’t keep them in it during the day as it would be too small.

 

[rjmcdonald24]

They are going to fight again. It could be that the first time one of the males left, he was driven off by the other.
There will always be a dominant male and submissive males when there are more than one in the flock.
Multiple males can learn to get along if they have plenty of resources (females, space, structure, food, etc.) but fighting is normal, especially when the days start getting longer and the females start to lay again.
Some males will never get along until one is driven off or dead. The submissive just does not want to be in that role.
There is a lot involved and it all boils down to the individual personalities of the 2 birds in question in their unique situation.

Thanks.

Any tips on knowing whether the fighting is something that will happen but doesn’t result in serious harm or a ‘fight to the death’?

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks.

Any tips on knowing whether the fighting is something that will happen but doesn’t result in serious harm or a ‘fight to the death’?

You have to watch them. I would never house the two of them together in a tiny coop/run setup unless you can be out there to open the run before any of them come off the roosts in the morning. That is great recipe for a nasty fight.
Even if they don't 'fight to the death', you will constantly be in a situation where you have to doctor injured birds. I agree with @Eggcessive that more "gamey" bantams are typically more likely to be male to male aggressive and IMO your best option is to rehome one of the boys. It will be easier for all involved.

 

[rjmcdonald24]

You have to watch them. I would never house the two of them together in a tiny coop/run setup unless you can be out there to open the run before any of them come off the roosts in the morning. That is great recipe for a nasty fight.
Even if they don't 'fight to the death', you will constantly be in a situation where you have to doctor injured birds. I agree with @Eggcessive that bantams are typically more likely to be male to male aggressive and IMO you best option is to rehome one of the boys. It will be easier for all involved.

Thanks!