Rooster fight /next steps question

[Catherinemae86]

Hello everyone. I have many feral chickens in my neighborhood. I've semi-adopted one flock. Unfortunately, after the loss of my beloved hen, Lady, all that remained were her 7 chicks (6 roosters / 1 hen) and an older Hen Jessica. Because they are feral they have plenty of space and have kind of turn into 3 groups: "the three assholes", "the cool kids" and J.R.

There has been typical pecking order fighting but nothing extreme in the 7+ months that they've existed. That was until 2 days ago. I want to blame the construction happening near by that has stressed them out and pushed them together resulting in what appeared to be a fight with 4 of them (based on checking my cameras). I found Button, the presumed top roo, completely shaken up and laying in some shrubs at sundown. I brought him inside and I've seen positive progress in his recovery. He's crowing a lot! He's still a little off on his ability to gauge where things are e.g., he misses the bowl of water sometimes but it's getting better.

I have a couple of questions:
1. I've noticed his crop almost immediately looks like a golf ball when he drinks some water (water + flock rescue mix) - is that normal or of major concern?
2. Would bringing him out into my living room to give him company be a bad idea? Considering the other roos frequently hang out in my yard? Would that stress him?
3. Is anyone near me in Houston TX and can help me catch some of these roos to rehome or take to the feed store? I will pay you!! I am still kind of scared of them and can only pick them up when I don't have time to think and must act, if that makes sense?! They are all so sweet to me though. None have ever been aggressive to myself or anyone. Although I am one of the only humans they will interact with.

I am so stressed out about all of this and Jessica now has 7 babies from a hidden nest I didn't know about!! Button

 

[Wyorp Rock]

1. I've noticed his crop almost immediately looks like a golf ball when he drinks some water (water + flock rescue mix) - is that normal or of major concern?

The crop should look and feel fuller when he eats or drinks.
The crop is like a holding pouch and will slowly empty as he digests the food.

2. Would bringing him out into my living room to give him company be a bad idea? Considering the other roos frequently hang out in my yard? Would that stress him?

Looking at the photo, he's been beaten up about the head/face which is typical wounds from fighting. He's probably a bit stressed already. I'd make sure he's drinking well. Get some electrolytes or sugar water into him.

For the facial tissue, I'd apply a bit of triple antibiotic ointment to help soften up the dried blood, let that sit for a little while, then gently wipe away. Reapply the ointment. Do you see any debris in the eyes? If so, flush with saline and put the ointment into the eyes.

He's likely sore, so if he can eat/drink on his own that's good. Do check him over for any other punctures or wounds, if there are any of them clean them, then apply triple antibiotic ointment.

Will he be stressed by you bringing him in? I don't know. If he's feral, then it may stress him. Could be he takes it all in stride, you just never know. I would place him somewhere fairly quiet and secure where the other roosters can't come by and harass him.

3. Is anyone near me in Houston TX and can help me catch some of these roos to rehome or take to the feed store? I will pay you!! I am still kind of scared of them and can only pick them up when I don't have time to think and must act, if that makes sense?! They are all so sweet to me though. None have ever been aggressive to myself or anyone. Although I am one of the only humans they will interact with.

You can try posting in the TX thread. On the rehoming threads and of course reaching out through local Craigslist and facebook/rescue groups to see if anyone is able to assist you with catching them.

Roosters will often fight for hens and territory, so it's not that uncommon for fighting even if they seem to have plenty of space.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/texas.44/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Would they be easier to catch at night? I mean, would it be less scary for you/ would you feel safer? They can't see very well so they can't run and you don't have to worry about them possibly attacking or resisting you. My chickens coop up at night and when I need to treat or examine them I always do it at night, it's just easier.

 

[Catherinemae86]

Would they be easier to catch at night? I mean, would it be less scary for you/ would you feel safer? They can't see very well so they can't run and you don't have to worry about them possibly attacking or resisting you. My chickens coop up at night and when I need to treat or examine them I always do it at night, it's just easier.

They sleep high in an oak tree in the field across the street! I now have a couple of dog crates ready to be deployed. If I catch them fighting, I know I can easily grab at least one because they are so distracted. My other plan is to trick them into the crates with food and/or by placing the crate at the entrance of my 'chicken doors' I've added to my wooden fence. Ha

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well good luck.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They sleep high in an oak tree in the field across the street! I now have a couple of dog crates ready to be deployed. If I catch them fighting, I know I can easily grab at least one because they are so distracted. My other plan is to trick them into the crates with food and/or by placing the crate at the entrance of my 'chicken doors' I've added to my wooden fence. Ha

Yes, but what will you do with them once you catch and cage them?
Where will they go? Do you have someone willing to take them?

 

[Shadrach]

1. I've noticed his crop almost immediately looks like a golf ball when he drinks some water (water + flock rescue mix) - is that normal or of major concern?

Check his crop in the morning. If it is less like a golf ball then the digestive system is working. If he has been taking in mainly liquids then his droppings are likely to be very runny. Check those.

2. Would bringing him out into my living room to give him company be a bad idea? Considering the other roos frequently hang out in my yard? Would that stress him?

Being in the house will stress him and in the long term is likely to slow his recovery. There is a undefined time of confinement after which he is better off out with the others. You would have to make a judgement on that; not an easy call.

3. Is anyone near me in Houston TX and can help me catch some of these roos to rehome or take to the feed store?

They sleep high in an oak tree in the field across the street!

That is where I would attempt to capture them, in the tree. A lot depends on how high they roost, but with bit of thinking you may be able to lift them out of the tree.
This article may give you some ideas about how to and when to attempt this.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/getting-chickens-out-of-trees-and-into-their-coops.75511/

If the three younger roosters/cockerels have ganged up on him I doubt he will be able to regain his place as senior rooster so rejoining the group in its current format may not be a going concern. If say two, or all of the younger males were removed he might be able to regain his place.

 

[Catherinemae86]

Yes, but what will you do with them once you catch and cage them?
Where will they go? Do you have someone willing to take them?

I'm trying my best . I've previously rehomed multiple to people I know. I've checked rescues but no luck. I'm scared of craigslist. People steal roosters around here for cockfighting and id assume the same on there. I know the feed store will take them and process them. I'd rather they die humanely then risk being put in a terrible situation.

 

[Catherinemae86]

Ok, I've found a farm about an hour away from me that said they'd take my roosters and they have 20 acres, pens and plenty of hens to go around. Now I just have to catch them. I have help coming today, hopefully.

In regards to the injured rooster, @Shadrach you mentioned keeping indoors can be detrimental. This has me stressing and he is definitely more alert now and getting antsy to get out. The problem is obviously, the other roosters. He is getting better at eating from a bowl but when I try to hand feed him he still misses my hand.. so he's not back to 100%.

I do have one of those outdoor dog pen type things that I covered with hardware cloth for when one of them had babies. Could I take him outside but keep him in that? Would the other chickens being in the yard and are it (but unable to get in or reach him) be a problem? Is that the best next step? Thanks!

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Ok, I've found a farm about an hour away from me that said they'd take my roosters and they have 20 acres, pens and plenty of hens to go around. Now I just have to catch them. I have help coming today, hopefully.

In regards to the injured rooster, @Shadrach you mentioned keeping indoors can be detrimental. This has me stressing and he is definitely more alert now and getting antsy to get out. The problem is obviously, the other roosters. He is getting better at eating from a bowl but when I try to hand feed him he still misses my hand.. so he's not back to 100%.

I do have one of those outdoor dog pen type things that I covered with hardware cloth for when one of them had babies. Could I take him outside but keep him in that? Would the other chickens being in the yard and are it (but unable to get in or reach him) be a problem? Is that the best next step? Thanks!

if they cannot reach him he will be safe. he would probably like to be able to hear the other chickens.