Rooster Ease Integration?

[Poodlemum]

My dumb roos have accidentally gotten into our grow out pens and I just left them because it was easier for my kids We had our first predator loss and it’s time to move the youngsters into the coops. Richard and Roger coop up together with two other roos, as well as their many ladies. Everyone free ranges happily and we’ve had no issues with grow outs that escape, or big chickies (oldest “coopers”are 8 months, youngest growouts are 5 months) that accidentally fall in the pens. They fence fight and then forage peacefully if there’s no fence Will the older roos protect the growouts if needed when I coop them separately?

Alternate plan: Move all layers into the main coop, all bantams into the hoop coop, and spread various roos into prefabs since I’m done hatching for the year. Mariano the silkie roo hates my D’Uccle roo, so they had to be separated. Mariano can’t fly, so add extra perches high up for the D’Uccles???

 

[Faiyumi]

I'm not sure how separated they will be, but each rooster has individual goals in life. No two roosters are going to be the same. With that said, as long as they have access to the incoming threat, they have the potential to protect them. Some roosters absolutely would hop a fence to save a random hen. Others just don't care, especially if there are multiple roosters around. He may be thinking, "well I'm not the alpha so it's not my job". Some are heroic and will stop at nothing to defend everyone in the flock, including other roosters.

On the other hand, a rooster can go as far as to set other roosters up to fail. They don't always alert call if they think that will help protect a rival rooster. Just in case any of your grow outs are roosters, don't necessarily expect a rooster to protect another rooster unless they are friends, family, or just heroic in general. They can be spiteful and cunning, especially if they both have a crush on the same hen. They will typically always alert call if there are other hens around, but keep in mind the occasional alpha rooster may not allow the other roosters to alert call or crow.

Also be careful with any perches that are too high. Pecking can happen in the middle of the night and lead to a loss of balance. Bantam breeds can fly well and most love high perches, but accidents happen in the dark. Even on soft bedding, a large fall in the dark can absolutely break a neck.