Roister Behavior

[Klacny59]

I've got 11 chickens. 2 are roosters. 1 is a black austalorp and the othervis a golden comets. I've had them for a year and the black rooster has always been at the top of the pecking order. He's never Bern mean to the other rooster, but has attacked me numerous times. I carry stick or rake to keep him from coming at me. Well within the last week the golden rooster is now going after the black one. He's not attacking me anymore, but the golden rooster pecks at him and chases him. It's like the pecking order has done a 360. Does anyone know why this has happened?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's spring if you are in the northern hemisphere. Hormones are surging with the increasing light, and birds are looking to move up in the pecking order which is a fluid thing. Always changing, always being tested.

 

[neo71665]

2 roosters without enough hens and room is always a problem.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree - I would imagine that there is a lot of tension in your whole flock with the two fighting roosters and only 11 hens. I would recommend removing a rooster from this flock. Animal husbandry is making decisions about the flock for the flock. Always sovle for peace in the flock.

It is better to loose a bird so that the others live better in a confined space. Roosters take quite a bit more room than hens. Being raised together has no influence on rooster behavior. And today's behavior is no indicator for tomorrow. They are a crapshoot.

If you cull the black cockerel, you will enjoy your flock more, and so will your hens. You will feel the tension fall away from your flock. Once you see that, you will recognize it much sooner the next time. Tension is really not a good way to live for hens.

Mrs K