rooster body lang. - is this submission?

[PunkinPeep]

I am introducing a new rooster to my flock today.

The new rooster, Magnus, is currently in a cage, outside with the flock - who are not caged.

Rocky, the older rooster, is circling Magnus' cage, crowing.

Magnus doesn't seem to notice Rocky at all, except that he turns his back to Rocky every time he changes position.

Does this mean something?

 

[poultryfan73]

If i were you id first putt rocky in with your new rooster alone somewhere. So they dont fight because Rocky will try to protect his hens if hes by himself i dont think he will fight as much. But whenever you introduce new birds there will always be fighting. BTW my first barred rock roosters name was Rocky sadly my cows trampled him

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind.

Sorry about your Rocky.

Rocky seems to have left Magnus alone now.

But i'm wondering if that body language meant something.

 

[gritsar]

Yeah he's being submissive, but that may change when he's not caged anymore.
When I had two roos, occasionally my alpha would get ticked at the subordinate roo and chase him. He would chase him to a certain point and then the sub. roo would just drop to the ground, facing away from my alpha and pretty much play dead. At that point, the alpha would walk away.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Gritsar, what do you think about poultryfan73's suggestion to put Rocky and Magnus together, confined, and separated from the flock to sort out their differences?

I don't mind if Magnus is subordinate to Rocky. Rocky's a great rooster. But i don't want him to be wimpy and cowed. I want to breed him, and i want him to learn how to be a good rooster.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
IMO, I would let them sort out their differences in the enviroment you plan to keep them in, i.e., if you are going to free range them, then put them together during free range time. If you are going to keep them together in a run, then put them together in their run. They will act more "natural" in their enviroment and there won't be the added stress of being confined to a crate or whatever. Also IMO, it's safer for the subordinate rooster if they are free ranging or at the very least in a large area when introduced so the sub. has some place to run to.
Working out the pecking order looks harsh to us humans, but it's what chickens do. As long as no blood is being drawn, let them do what nature dictates.
Once my boys worked out whom was on the top of the pecking order, the flock was very peaceful.