Roosters battling each other more in spring?

[jbrajdich]

Hello!

I have had my copper maran rooster in my flock of 8 hens, along with a Silkie rooster for 2 years now. They were raised together and have usually done pretty well. My silkie knows the bigger rooster is the boss and they have never gotten into too many scuffles. I noticed the two of them stayed outside later to fight this evening after the hens went inside to roost, and started to really hurt each other. Is it common for them to spar or have more issues in the spring?

Any suggestions? Our silkie is the sweetest chicken and the copper maran rooster is very good at managing the flock, so ideally I could keep them both.

 

[Folly's place]

If they are causing injuries, it's likely that they won't get along together any longer. Either rehome one of them, or have separate spaces for each, with their hens.
You might get lucky and have things settle down, but you could end up with a dead Silkie.
I've rehomes roosters because of spring fighting episodes, with birds who were getting along before.
Mary

 

[ashlierami]

Hello!

I have had my copper maran rooster in my flock of 8 hens, along with a Silkie rooster for 2 years now. They were raised together and have usually done pretty well. My silkie knows the bigger rooster is the boss and they have never gotten into too many scuffles. I noticed the two of them stayed outside later to fight this evening after the hens went inside to roost, and started to really hurt each other. Is it common for them to spar or have more issues in the spring?

Any suggestions? Our silkie is the sweetest chicken and the copper maran rooster is very good at managing the flock, so ideally I could keep them both.

Yes spring is here and they will fight more. I have an all rooster flock as well as a roo and hen flock so believe me I have dealt with this quite a bit. The roo with the hens is the alpha of course and the other boys know he's boss. When they do start a fight I get the water hose and they stop and run separate ways. This has worked for me and has helped me keep all my roos. They have learned that if they do fight and they see me coming with the hose they take off. No one has been badly hurt and they live happily. If yours are continuing to fight is separate them if you wish to keep them alive and in a happy setting.

 

[llombardo]

Note to self:keep hose handy

Thank you.

 

[jbrajdich]

Thank you so much everyone! I’ll be watching carefully and will to try to find another home if this continues.

And I’ll have the hose on the ready.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

It is more common.My roosters spar in spring but never any blood is drawn.A few specks of blood from spurs and Beaks but never anything serious.If they are continuing fighting really bad and causing injury Seperate them or they will likely fight to the death.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Letting them fight it is your best bet unless it continues for an unormal time or causing serious injury.

 

[jbrajdich]

I found them fighting this morning and separated them. No major injuries, but bigger rooster pecked the silkie’s Head, so I could see a tiny bit of blood. Hoping maybe in time we can try putting them together again when the hormones go down a bit. .

 

[jbrajdich]

Do you think a silkie would be a good rooster for a flock? Or do they make poor caretakers? My copper maran is very mean and kind of dangerous, but is good to protect the hens.

 

[ashlierami]

Do you think a silkie would be a good rooster for a flock? Or do they make poor caretakers? My copper maran is very mean and kind of dangerous, but is good to protect the hens.

I think he would be susceptible due to his size and delicate head.