Rooster dominance or only one roo?

laford501

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In the spring we got 8 chicks. We knew then that there was a chance we could have a roo in the mix. Well a while back one of my Speckled Sussex began crowing. ..we had pretty much figured he was a roo due to his comb being more developed than the others. Our other Speckled Sussex has a comb that is more developed than our other breeds of the same age (RIR,orpington,and Gold sex link) but not as developed as the one we're sure is a roo. The one we're certain is a Roo has kind of a Bob tail..not coming to a point like the hens, but kind of rounded the other SS has long tail freshers that don't come to a point like the hens either. They look very similar except for the tails and the fact the roo has a definite crow now and I have never seen or heard the other one crow. It only clucks like the other hens. This is our first experience with chickens. There are 8 total chickens and I know that is probably not enough hens for 2 roos. I would like to be sure about the other one before I get rid of it. So I ask all of this to ask if my 2nd SS is a roo too then is he not crowing because the other one has established dominance?
 
When I had 8 roosters only the top three or four really developed rooster characteristics and crowed. The others tried to act and look like hens (I assume) because they were bullied. The top two got along pretty well, but we ended up just keeping the second-in-command.

Could you post a picture of the two?

Best of luck with your flock!
 
I have a couple of pics thru the chicken wire that I tried to attach to my post but it only put a link... Is that what it's supposed to do? Anyway they weren't that good so I'll get some from up close and personal tomorrow. Thanks for your help! I really hope they aren't both roosters. They seem to get along but I'm afraid they will over breed my hens... And we really didn't want to breed them anyway. We had resigned ourselves to one roo so that he could protect them... But 2? Ugh!
 
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The one with the short rounded tail is definitely a roo. He stands tall and crowd loudly
 
Sorry, that submitted before I was ready. The rounded tail is the roo for sure. I am wondering if the one with the long, fancy tail could be a roo as well. It's tail does not look like the definite roo and it's comb is not quite as red or as big, but it's tail is not nearly the same as all my other hens. My other hens barely have combs as well. Is it a roo or is that just what Sussex hens look like?
 
When I had 8 roosters only the top three or four really developed rooster characteristics and crowed. The others tried to act and look like hens (I assume) because they were bullied. The top two got along pretty well, but we ended up just keeping the second-in-command.

Could you post a picture of the two?

Best of luck with your flock!


Sorry, I am new to this forum thing. I didn't know how to reply directly to your comment. I have now posted pics of the 2 chickens in question.
 
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They are very nice looking chickens!
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The one on the left does look like an adult hen, as they can have that large comb and wattles and that is what their tail looks like, however, it has saddle feathers that a hen doesn't have, so its probably a rooster.
 
They are very nice looking chickens! :)

The one on the left does look like an adult hen, as they can have that large comb and wattles and that is what their tail looks like, however, it has saddle feathers that a hen doesn't have, so its probably a rooster.


Since the short trail roo seems dominant will it hurt to keep them together. They don't seem aggressive now, but I'm not sure what they will do once they are mature and the hens are breeding age.
 
I have 5 roosters. The two silkies get along well and the top rooster adopted the younger one as his son, since he raised him (neither get along with the silkies). However none of them get along with the little bantam who was raised with the top rooster.

It really varies with the individuals if they will get along or not.
 
I had bought what I thought was 10 RIR pullets and a roo as chicks...some 10 weeks ago. It has recently been apparent that I have two roosters instead of just one as planned. Thought I'd just take a wait and see attitude about it...but I only bought the roo for the crowing anyway...so I wonder if I really need two?
 

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