Rooster Attackers

[Madie'sOddFlock]

Last year we brought home 15 light brahmas... about half of them were roosters. They were about 15 weeks old, and we put them in with 12-week old barred rocks. We quickly separated the two after we found the barred rocks attack them. Approximately 4 dead roosters later, we realized that they were only attacking the roosters. Once they got older, they had no more problems(even with our disabled, hobbling Willy). Now, I have their mixed breed chicks, among other chicks. These chicks are 2 weeks old, and I'm aware of 4 roosters in the 17 chick batch... I just heard screaming and found that two of the roos were being attacked by the other chicks. They ripped feathers out of their armpit(not sure what else to call it) where their wing connects to the rest of their body and pecked away at the skin underneath. I caught the injuries soon enough and tried putting blu-kote on them(discovered that our blu-kote is no longer spraying, I have the purple hands to prove it), and instead, put a little hen healer ointment on. I'm wondering if this may be a genetic tendency or just a coincidence, and any ideas to stop it would be great.
Thanks,
Madie

 

[aart]

Last year we brought home 15 light brahmas... about half of them were roosters. They were about 15 weeks old, and we put them in with 12-week old barred rocks. We quickly separated the two after we found the barred rocks attack them. Approximately 4 dead roosters later, we realized that they were only attacking the roosters.

12 week old birds killed 15 week old birds??
Did you follow any integration protocol....or just toss them in together?

Wonders about space provided.

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

12 week old birds killed 15 week old birds??
Did you follow any integration protocol....or just toss them in together?

Wonders about space provided.

The coop was first split in half with wire so that they could see each other, and then that was removed after a few weeks. Also, when they were re-integrated after all this, the problems ceased...