Rooster only pen (fighting)

[lishah2000]

I had to move a roo from my layer flock. He challenged the head roo and they were fighting really bad.

I have a pen with three other roos that get along pretty well. There were two for a long time and a few weeks ago I added the third (a young banty). Just a few minutes of setting the order and it was done. I had a feeling this time wouldn't be as easy and it wasn't. He and one other fought for awhile, but not bad enough to separate them. When I thought they were done the other two jumped in and the new roo gave up. Since then he has stayed in a corner with his head down. The others give him a peck now and again, but that's all.

What are the odds that this will be the end of it? Will they start again? I'm trying to find the new addition a home asap (the others need to go too, but they have been fine together). I really don't have anywhere else to put him, but I don't want them to hurt each other either. I will not be able to watch them for about 3 hours before it gets dark.

Anyone want a large Australorp mix? He is good around people and black and white barred.

 

[Posh Chickens]

Hey,

Maybe it could be that one cockerel wants the hens that the other one has, maybe you can put the cockerel that you have separated so that they can see each other and talk, but not fight, and after 2 months or so, put them back together.. and see what happens?
Sorry, I only have hens - I don't know about cockerels that much

- Rob

 

[lishah2000]

I'm positive he was challenging for top spot. They have lived together for probably 7 months without any problems.

They never settled down in the bachelor pen and the new roo ended up getting out before dark and roosted with the turkey. For now he is in a crate. Even free-ranging he goes back to fight with the other roo.

 

[Posh Chickens]

I've just added 3 Cochins to 6 Warrens.. MAN! What a pain?!

 

[MinnesotaChick]

My experience is, once they start fighting, they don't stop for very long. I had three roo brothers that hatched last spring...all was fine until about 2 weeks ago when two started fighting...blood everywhere. I broke it up and they got along for a few days, then it started again between the original fight starter and the one who had stayed out of it the first time around. Again, they tried to kill each other. We ended up having to kill two of them(one of which only had one eye left!) and kept the one that was in the best shape. So sad...why couldn't they just get along???

 

[Pinky]

Quote:
I've had the same experience. I could never get them to get along after the first fight.