Roosters suddenly won't get along...

[PioneerChicks]

This isn't a problem or anything. I was planning on giving these roos away soon anyways. I'm just curious.

I actually have several roosters right now, only two older ones. The first (Peter) is over a year old, and the second (Picket) is about nine months. They all have gotten along fine until now. Peter was dominant, but only pecked Picket every once in a while. In the past month, he may have gotten a little more aggressive, but nothing serious.

They have both been past their hormones stage and mate the hens regularly.

I just barely went out to the coop and found them fighting. I could tell this wasn't a quick argument. They were going for the kill. I'm not sure how long they were fighting, but they both seemed pretty tired. They were focused entirely upon each other. They were both on offense, not one on defense and one on offense. I picked one up (he didn't even react to me, even though he is normally super skittish) and put him in a nearby dog kennel. They continued to fight through the bars! I put the other in a cage out of sight.

One had blood on his comb (peck marks) and the other had a bit of blood on his foot.

What sparked this? They got along fine before. I'm surprised at this change in events!

 

[aart]

How old, in weeks or months, are all the participants?
Might not be any reason other than they decided to change up the pecking order.

 

[sourland]

Normal rooster behavior - Peter was fighting to retain his position as flock leader, and Picket was fighting to improve his position. The pecking order is a fluid ever changing social structure.

 

[PioneerChicks]

How old, in weeks or months, are all the participants?
Might not be any reason other than they decided to change up the pecking order.

Uh, I think Peter is about 1 year and 9 months, and Picket is around 9 months. Peter was here first, and Picket was raised by a broody and has been part of the flock his whole life.

Normal rooster behavior - Peter was fighting to retain his position as flock leader, and Picket was fighting to improve his position. The pecking order is a fluid ever changing social structure.

Oh, interesting! I'm not very experienced in roosters yet. Thank you!

 

[getaclue]

Time to pick one and get rid of the other, or make a separate pen to prevent them from fighting.

 

[aart]

Uh, I think Peter is about 1 year and 9 months, and Picket is around 9 months. Peter was here first, and Picket was raised by a broody and has been part of the flock his whole life.

Sorry, just realized I didn't see the ages in your OP.
Wondering if Peter molted this fall?
Might have put him in a 'weaker' condition.......so Picket made his move.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Time to pick one and get rid of the other, or make a separate pen to prevent them from fighting.

I'll be getting rid of all my roosters. I planned to do so in a couple weeks recently because I got a new roo

Sorry, just realized I didn't see the ages in your OP.
Wondering if Peter molted this fall?
Might have put him in a 'weaker' condition.......so Picket made his move.

I think Peter and Picket both just finished their molts, Picket more recently.