Roosters fighting severely when I merged old & new flocks.

[Aussie Run Farm]

I recently merged my 18 month old flock (1 roo & 11 hens) with my 6 month old flock (1 roo & 22 hens & 2 guineas). I moved the older smaller flock in with the newer bigger flock. I moved them at "go to roost" time and other than a minor skirmish between the roosters the transition seemed to go well until 3 days later when my husband called me home from work early to help catch the old rooster (Cogburn) who had been attacked mercilessly by the younger one (Pretty-boy) and had run off into the woods. Cogburn now needs to be true to his name and wear an eyepatch because Prettyboy put his left eye out. I have the 2 roos in solitary apart from each other and apart from the hens. Prettyboy is healed up but Cogburn will never be the same. My questions are, do I introduce them both back into the flock at the same time so neither has a "head start" at establishing dominance? Will Cogburn likely accept defeat and live peacefully or should I expect another blood bath?

 

[enola]

Some roosters will never get along. Cogburn has a huge handicap now, you are lucky he survived that round. He may not be as lucky if try again.....

 

[Wyandottes7]

I would introduce both of them back to the flock together. But, don't return them until they are fully healed-- chickens love to peck at injuries and blood. Its likely that when Cogburn goes back in with Prettyboy, he will be frightened, and shouldn't fight (though Prettyboy will probably chase him).When I mix together roosters, there is often a little fighting, then occaisonal fights continuing on for a week or so. The submissive roosters get picked on a bit until the pecking order is established.

 

[enola]

A rooster missing an eye is at a huge disadvantage. . . .

 

[Aussie Run Farm]

I can't believe it! I checked on Cogburn Sat. evening and he Does have an eye where I thought it was missing. I guess it took 4 days for the swelling to go down and the dried blood to flake off to reveal it. I still have not put the 2 roos back with the flock, giving Cogburn plenty of time to heal. Will take you advice though and make Prettyboy wait until Cogburn is ready so I can give them an equal chance. I hope Cogburn will accept the lower status and not challenge. While I expect them to have a few tiffs, I hope Cogburn doesn't get the puddin' beat out of him again! We will see soon.

 

[Aussie Run Farm]

Well, just a final chapter to this story. Cogburn got the puddin beat out of him again. I decided one of them had to go and Pretty Boy was younger and therefore more tender. So I butchered Pretty Boy. Now Cogburn is Happy Happy Happy and doesn't hide out in the coop all day. Lesson learned: If I am going to have more than one Rooster they need to have been raised from chicks together. I will not try to integrate roosters from different flocks again.

 

[Brandi Leigh]

And that is how the west was won...

 

[Eggcessive]

One thing I have learned from raising roosters and chickens is that you need to bring the young ones in as young cockerels, or better yet, chicks. I bring in all of the chicks into the flock at the same time, introducing gradually through a fenced off area inside the coop. If the cockerels are raised with the head rooster, they are always respectful of him. The only time I brought in a young rooster 5 months old, he was run off into the woods after getting his comb bloody. He had to go into a different area with his own girls.

 

[Aussie Run Farm]

And that is how the west was won...

Love this answer!