Roosters Fighting bad, questions

[Kathryn4629]

Ok so here is the deal.

I have 3 roosters that are kept seperate from the hens. They have been free ranging together and sleeping together in there own coop. Seriously, NO fighting at all for the last year, and they were raised together.

I walk outside today and they are having a brawl! Blood everywhere! They are all messed up. Are they just reestablishing a pecking order? Will they always fight now? One has a eye swollen shut and is hiding.

Any advice?

 

[dawg53]

They are fighting for dominance over each other to see who will be the last one standing to be with the hens. You can keep 2 of them locked up seperately with one roo going out with the hens, then the next day rotate to the next roo and so on, if you wish.

 

[Kathryn4629]

They are fighting for dominance over each other to see who will be the last one standing to be with the hens. You can keep 2 of them locked up separately with one roo going out with the hens, then the next day rotate to the next roo and so on, if you wish.

Thank you for your reply! These guys are never with the hens, I have 2 other rooster with my hens. These guys I have been using for bug control in the fields, because I dont want to risk my hens to the coyotes. These were the three that I didn't send to freezer camp because they are so pretty and nice (were) to each other, and very respectful of humans. Dang it this routine was working so nicely

Right now I separated the one with swollen eyes, the other two are still out. Now they seem to be ignoring each other, and one is obviously keeping a distance from the other.

 

[glucke]

sounds like a real cock fight to me..

in their natural environments, birds fight over mates, food, or territory and to establish their dominance or position in a flock’s pecking order. many roosters simply don't want another male around PERIOD and they can actually fight to the death.

I would separate them.

 

[dawg53]

If you decide to keep them, let them work it out. They will establish their own pecking order. All you'll have to do is patch them up for the next brawl.

 

[Kathryn4629]

Well maybe they need to head to freezer camp.

I guess the three musketeers are no more. dang it, dang it, dang it. So not the way I wanted to start my day!!!!

 

[dawg53]

Well maybe they need to head to freezer camp.

I guess the three musketeers are no more. dang it, dang it, dang it. So not the way I wanted to start my day!!!!

Perhaps you can put them on Craigslist or give them up for adoption, or place an ad on bulletin board at your feed store (if they have one.)

 

[Kathryn4629]

Perhaps you can put them on Craigslist or give them up for adoption, or place an ad on bulletin board at your feed store (if they have one.)

I just put an add on craigslist. Hope someone out there is looking for a good rooster!!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I feel for you. I like having roosters around, but they can make things complicated sometimes. I have a bachelor coop for 3 year old roosters raised together and - knock on wood - they have not fought much at all. Once when I had to remove the Cochin after he injured his leg, the hierarchy was upset and i found how it can be a delicate balance. When I returned the cochin he was determined to make it known that the coop was still his territory and he picked a fight. I removed him right away and then reintroduced him at dusk. They spent the night in peace and woke up the next morning like nothing happened and acted fine. I was lucky, but reintroducing him at night did help reduce the confrontation.

BTW, neosporin or other petroleum jelly based antibiotic ointments that don't have pain reliever ingredients can be used on the eye. Others have used them successfully and I have found that they help, too.

 

[Kathryn4629]

I feel for you. I like having roosters around, but they can make things complicated sometimes. I have a bachelor coop for 3 year old roosters raised together and - knock on wood - they have not fought much at all. Once when I had to remove the Cochin after he injured his leg, the hierarchy was upset and i found how it can be a delicate balance. When I returned the cochin he was determined to make it known that the coop was still his territory and he picked a fight. I removed him right away and then reintroduced him at dusk. They spent the night in peace and woke up the next morning like nothing happened and acted fine. I was lucky, but reintroducing him at night did help reduce the confrontation.

BTW, neosporin or other petroleum jelly based antibiotic ointments that don't have pain reliever ingredients can be used on the eye. Others have used them successfully and I have found that they help, too.

Thanks for your response! I was actually just thing about how they will be tomorrow, after sleeping for the night. I know it is pretty silly to get upset about a bunch of roosters, but these are my guys. And they do a great job eating ticks ect...