Rooster tried to kill other rooster

[Jtaranc]

Hey everyone. I have a question about what I should do.

I have about a flock of 30 hens. We had 1 rooster who is a RIR ROO. In the spring I brought home a BCM rooster. He was young and it took some time but roosters got used to each other and were fine. The RIR was clearly the alpha and would chase the BCM but the BCM would run and be respectful. We had BCM pullets at the time and the roo and pullets bonded to one another and he left all the other hens alone.

I have americauna and legbar pullets become of age and start laying and it seemed like the young BCM roo claimed them. Everything was still fine. Both Roos kept their space and shared a coop at night fine.

Two days ago I let everyone out of the coop and the RIR tried to mount a hen the BCM went ballistic and chased him all the way to the front yard, my poor RIR was screaming murder, blood everywhere. There is no doubt in my mind he was going to kill the RIR had I not been there.

Something changed, the RIR has never ran from anyone before. Their dynamics were never like that.

The RIR is ok. He got knocked out and was bleeding. He’s been in my hospital ward recovering but I can not put him back out there.

My question is who do I keep? They’re both wonderful Roos with the hens.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My question is who do I keep?

What are your goals for keeping a rooster? Are you going to hatch chicks? If so, which rooster do you want the chicks to be more like. A Marans rooster would give you darker eggshells.

They’re both wonderful Roos with the hens.

If you are not going to hatch chicks, flip a coin if you can't otherwise make a decision.

It is your wants and desires that count, not mine. I have no idea what criteria you might have so I can't decide for you. With the information provided I don't see any critical differences.

 

[Jtaranc]

What are your goals for keeping a rooster? Are you going to hatch chicks? If so, which rooster do you want the chicks to be more like. A Marans rooster would give you darker eggshells.

If you are not going to hatch chicks, flip a coin if you can't otherwise make a decision.

It is your wants and desires that count, not mine. I have no idea what criteria you might have so I can't decide for you. With the information provided I don't see any critical differences.

Protection. Both are equal in that sense.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Then flip a coin. For that purpose breed is not relevant. I know it is not easy to make that decision, not if you don't see any differences in them that matters.

But I'll make a suggestion. Get rid of the RIR. Why? He lost the fight so his confidence may be shaken. Do I really believe this? No, but that's the kind of logic you need to use. That's the only difference in them I can think of.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Just a note. Keeping the BCM won't give you darker eggshells immediately. The chicks that hatch out of the eggs he fertilizes will grow into hens that will lay darker eggs.