Rooster behavior

[MinniesMomma]

My oldest rooster is about 18 months. One of the younger roosters, about 8 months old, has recently taken over as head rooster, but instead of protecting the flock he spends his days terrorizing the older rooster. The older rooster has foot problems and doesn't move especially quickly, so he has a hard time getting away from the younger rooster. The past few afternoons I have found the older rooster hiding by himself, and unwilling to go into the coop at dark. I am trying to re home the younger rooster ( the older rooster is really a pet) Should I leave the older rooster with the rest of the flock until I am able to re home the other one, or should I separate the other 1 until I can find him a home?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My oldest rooster is about 18 months. One of the younger roosters, about 8 months old, has recently taken over as head rooster, but instead of protecting the flock he spends his days terrorizing the older rooster. The older rooster has foot problems and doesn't move especially quickly, so he has a hard time getting away from the younger rooster. The past few afternoons I have found the older rooster hiding by himself, and unwilling to go into the coop at dark. I am trying to re home the younger rooster ( the older rooster is really a pet) Should I leave the older rooster with the rest of the flock until I am able to re home the other one, or should I separate the other 1 until I can find him a home?

If you are re-homing the cockerel, then separate him.

What's going on with the older rooster's feet?

 

[MinniesMomma]

If you are re-homing the cockerel, then separate him.

What's going on with the older rooster's feet?

I am trying (a little unsuccessfully) to find a new home for him. All of my roosters have always gotten along peacefully, this is the 1st time it's ever seemed that one has a mission in life of terrorizing the other.

Misha's feet have always been too big for his body. The toes knuckle sideways and don't sit flat like normal feet do. He also rests oddly, sitting back on his hocks. Other than slowing him down it doesn't seem to hurt him one bit. It's been this way his entire life.

 

[sourland]

I would remove the cockerel from the flock while trying to re home him. He will not leave the older rooster alone until it is gone or dead.

 

[courtsmarans]

i would remove the younger roo if that is what feels right.
have you thought about making him dinner . . .

 

[MinniesMomma]

I would remove the cockerel from the flock while trying to re home him. He will not leave the older rooster alone until it is gone or dead.

That is exactly what I was wondering. Thank you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am trying (a little unsuccessfully) to find a new home for him. All of my roosters have always gotten along peacefully, this is the 1st time it's ever seemed that one has a mission in life of terrorizing the other.

Misha's feet have always been too big for his body. The toes knuckle sideways and don't sit flat like normal feet do. He also rests oddly, sitting back on his hocks. Other than slowing him down it doesn't seem to hurt him one bit. It's been this way his entire life.

I would remove the cockerel from the flock while trying to re home him. He will not leave the older rooster alone until it is gone or dead.

^^^This @MinniesMomma

I'm sorry that they aren't getting on, but @sourland is right. The cockerel will not stop.
You are also seeing the results of the cockerel's actions against the disabled rooster. Sometimes roosters that are " beat down" or their "spirit" is broken - he may have a hard time coming back from that. If you separate - put the cockerel further away from the rooster and hens, so there is no fence fighting or posturing. I would also get some poultry vitamins into him to give him a boost since all this is stressful.

The past few afternoons I have found the older rooster hiding by himself, and unwilling to go into the coop at dark.

 

[MinniesMomma]

If you are re-homing the cockerel, then separate him.

What's going on with the older rooster's feet?

I inserted a somewhat blurry picture so you can see his feet (ish)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I ibserted a somewhat blurry picture so you can see his feet (ish)

I saw that pop up as I was typing. He has crooked toes.
Do you hatch eggs from his matings?

 

[MinniesMomma]

Thank you all for your excellent advice! I am coming up on 2 years of chicken raising, and there is still so much to learn!