Roosters behaviour.

[farmer90]

Thank you Perris, it's a different approach and a good idea and I shall definitely discuss this with my husband.
And right now no one goes there beside me. I'm just worried what if I have a long day at work again or what if there's an emergency and I'm gone in a few days. We don't live in perfect world and these things do sometimes happen. After what I saw I'm not confident enough to ask anyone deal with them.

 

[Altairsky]

I'd cull the beta roo ASAP. With only 2 hens, 2 roos are too many anyway.

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

You will have over mating problems if you keep two roos with that few hens very shortly!

 

[Ridgerunner]

One of them will be dinner by spring anyway as my movable summer coop will be too small for both of them......... Today we went in together and my favourite roo was attacking him again.

All the mean roosters got invited to dinner by autumn

But I'm mostly afraid this unreasonable violence might endanger other people.

So you are not concerned that this violence may endanger your husband, just "other" people? I consider "other people" a valid concern. If he goes after your husband he could easily go after others. There could be a financial liability if you get sued plus you'd probably feel guilty if anyone else got injured or even just attacked, especially children.

It sounds like you want to keep both boys as pets, not for breeding or flock protection as they do not free range? You've hatched eggs, you may want to do that again from your own chickens. You would need a male for that, but one would be enough.

"Pets" can be a strong motivational force. But you acknowledge one will be gone by spring anyway. I don't keep individual chickens as pets, I keep a flock that has changeable parts. If one part is not working out I change it or remove it. A lot of people don't see it that way.

It sounds like your moveable summer coop (tractor) is pretty small, which may make any new integration challenging.

One of those cockerels has proven to be the lead aggressor. You can try removing him (your favorite) and see how the other boy adjusts. Get to your spring flock now and see how that other boy behaves. Sometimes changing flock members can change flock dynamics.

Or you can carry on and deal with whatever happens in the future. My goals and set-up are different from yours so I can't tell you what to do, that is your decision. Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[Perris]

You will have over mating problems if you keep two roos with that few hens very shortly!

That is another myth. I have 11 roos/ cockerels living freely together with 16 hens/ pullets and there are no 'over mating problems'.

 

[FrostRanger]

I would definitely cull the beta and strongly consider culling the other too. You don't need 2 roos for that few hens (honestly for 2 hens even one roo is likely to be too much). If a human aggressive roo breeds he can pass on his bad attitude to his chicks and they are more likely to be human aggressive themselves so do not breed them if they are human aggressive. Not to mention it's a problem likely to get worse

 

[farmer90]

Thank you all for your input and new ideas! Up until now I have considered both roos human friendly, but I guess I was wrong. The thing with roosters is like getting a surprise puppy and you have no idea if it's a Labrador or a Pitbull until suddenly it shows it's true nature.

Beta roo is my favourite because it's half Orloff, cold hardy and chunky, great for future breeding. I also know that over breeding might become an issue with such small flock, but right now I have not encountered it yet, so I prefer to focus on more relevant matters.

I made some homework and built my summer tractor according to my family needs. It's perfect for 2 hens, ok for 4 and little tight but manageable for 6. I don't plan to expand my chicken flock this year but I might do it next. And they are definitely not pets, just saw that they get along fine and thought to leave them all for the winter as they produce more heat and might feel more comfortable during cold nights.

 

[Perris]

Of course what you choose to do is entirely up to you. But what Dog Whisperer shows reveal is that it is usually the owner, not the dog, who creates the problems. ie. it is not nature but nurture at work, often.

 

[Ridgerunner]

just saw that they get along fine and thought to leave them all for the winter as they produce more heat and might feel more comfortable during cold nights.

What keeps them warm is that down coat they wear under their feathers. They will huddle when they are cold, they get some benefit form that, but unless you have temperatures well below 0 F (-18 C) they don't need to. They will be fine.