Roosters change in behavior

[nutmeg]

I have a small flock of birds, 13 hens and 2 roosters ( father and son). Also a duck but she is no problem.
The RIR rooster was king of the coop from the beginning. The second rooster was hatched from one of my own eggs ( not mine personally but you know what I mean). The older one is 31/2 yrs the younger is 2 1/2 yrs old. They tussled once in awhile but nothing very serious.
Just recently, about 3 weeks ago, the younger one started chasing the older one off. I understand there is a pecking order and assume that the younger one has taken over as alpha roo.
My question is will the older one be okay? He seems healthy, just stays by himself. Some of the hens hang with him off and on.
Should I be worried? Should I do anything special?
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

 

[gritsar]

Well, IMO you do have one too many roos for the number of hens you have. Sounds like the son has taken over the top spot. If they manage this without too many fights and your hens aren't getting over-mated then fine. It will be a lonely existence for your daddy roo though; always living on the fringes of the flock.

 

[nutmeg]

I do have two coops and each rooster occupies one. I let them free range so he has plenty of area to roam and like I said the hens , especially my young ones like to hang around with him. I will be getting more hens in the spring. How many is "enough" for two roosters? I kinda like him mellow. He was always a feisty one and you would have to watch your back around him. Now I can walk up to him and give him treats and he'll take them from me. He still eyes my shoes like he is going to give me a kick but he doesn't.
If it wasn't winter and the snow started falling I would give him a separate yard but I can't see shoveling a play yard for him every day or so!!
I was thinking about giving them alternate days of custody of the flock!!!

 

[gritsar]

Alternating days might work. As long as he has hens of his own he'll be fine. Everyone has a different opinion on this, but I think if you had eight hens per roo it would be enough; 10 would be better. My one roo has 13 hens and still manages to have excellent fertility.

 

[nutmeg]

I have noticed yesterday and today he has been doing more crowing than the past few weeks. He also had three hens with Him all day. My sweet hubby built them a little make shift shelter to stay in during the day. The other birds have a new shelter too that he and my son made a few weeks ago. They needed it today with the icy rain all day. He will also use the snow blower to make them paths around the house etc. He tells me to stop getting birds then makes it so much easier for me to get them!!

What is it aobut chickens and becoming addicted to having more??