Rooster question

[red horse ranch]

I have read that an old rooster (5 years old) with a young hen can produce fertile eggs. Also an old hen with a young rooster can produce fertile eggs. Two old chickens will probably not produce fertile eggs. I have found this to be true in my own flocks over the years. I have also found that the fertile eggs from an old hen may not produce a viable chick if incubated. But miracles can happen. I have gotten chicks from 6 or 7 year old hens if they were with a young rooster.

 

[Mrs. K]

The more roosters you have, the greater the chance of it going wrong.

 

[treefrog95]

The two males will establish who is dominant. A good dominant roo will allow the loser to walk away. The loser will learn his boundaries. Some dominant roos don't allow others to walk away. When this happens two roos will not be able to live together. The younger the second male is when added, the less fighting for dominance. Some cockerals simply accept that the grown roo is in charge and never question it. Others will try to prove themselves once and then accept defeat. A few will continue to find opportunities to prove themselves (fight) until they are the winning dominant roo.

Thank you

 

[treefrog95]

The two males will establish who is dominant. A good dominant roo will allow the loser to walk away. The loser will learn his boundaries. Some dominant roos don't allow others to walk away. When this happens two roos will not be able to live together. The younger the second male is when added, the less fighting for dominance. Some cockerals simply accept that the grown roo is in charge and never question it. Others will try to prove themselves once and then accept defeat. A few will continue to find opportunities to prove themselves (fight) until they are the winning dominant roo.

Thank you

 

[Meri Maura]

Your odds of the two coexisting peacefully increase if raised together, either as siblings or as father/son even if the second one is not the actual son. But certainly no guarantees.

I purchased 6 roosters together as baby chicks, and when they grew up some of them would perch together. They didn't fight often, there were a few big fights when they were 1 to 2 years of age, but the ended without much injury.

 

[ChicFil- A]

I want to preface this by saying that all animals are different, and nothing is set in stone. Generally, no rooster would be welcoming of another one in his territory and around his girls, and dominance has to be established. That being said, a younger rooster, depending on how young you actually mean, is either going to experience a more smooth transition into the flock, if he doesn't crow or show signs of wanting to mate. If the young rooster is in his prime, then there are chances he might even beat your original rooster. Now, if the young rooster has just started crowing and mating, he'll probably experience some bullying from the other rooster, and even the hens. Since you have two coops, I say divide the flock into two, depending on your breeding goals. What breed of bantam are you considering?

I’ve never seen a good outcome someone is going to have to fight or take a lesser role and the established roo is really going to exposed to a life changing episode… be wise!

 

[ChicFil- A]

Thank you

well written and I agree! It’s difficult and cruel to integrate a flock or add or take away… Chickens to be so gentle are often primitive in their thought processes and actions.