Last night I found my bantam rooster very bloody, then saw that his 6 month old son (almost a clone of daddy) was also bloodied. Obviously they had thier first battle. Last battle if I can help it, but that’s not the subject of my question.
After cleaning the blood off of them both as best I could I could see Henry, the father, was bleeding still, and I applied some yarrow which stop the bleeding. Because I was afraid he may be experiencing a mild bit of shock. I didn’t want to put him outside in the coop on the night that we’re getting a snow storm. As for his son,Fitzroy, he didn’t seem to be injured or bleeding, just bloodied probably with his fathers blood. Ultimately, I put Henry in a dog cage in my living room. I put Fitzroy in a dog cage in the coop that is always there for injuries or as a broody breaker. I didn’t want the flock to notice any remaining bits of blood I may have missed and start going after Fitzroy. Also, I’m assuming he will engage in such activities again as he tries to acquire dominance over his father. I’m also assuming he would eventually try to take on Albert, who is twice the size of my largest hen while Fitzroy is a bantam. I will have to keep Fitzroy separate until his final fate is decided. (Anyone want a gorgeous banty cockerel? Mix breed but appears as Brahma Bantam.)
So, I want to return Henry to the flock. Hopeful plan is to put him back on the roost late tonight, after dark when the flock is sleeping. He will only have been gone roughly 24 hours since he was removed at night the night before. I’m hoping I don’t have to do a full on see-don’t-touch reintroduction. That would mean switching Fitzroy into my livingroom so Henry could use the broody breaker cage in the coop for his reintroduction. Meanwhile I’d be stuck with a crowing cockerel in my living room until reintroductions were over.
I really need opinions especially with anyone with similar situation experience of short term separation from flock.
An earlier photo and an aftermath photo. Fitzroy on the left, Henry on the right. Henry was partially cleaned up, Fitzroy not at all yet. Henry has yarrow on his head to stop the bleeding. (Great stuff!)
After cleaning the blood off of them both as best I could I could see Henry, the father, was bleeding still, and I applied some yarrow which stop the bleeding. Because I was afraid he may be experiencing a mild bit of shock. I didn’t want to put him outside in the coop on the night that we’re getting a snow storm. As for his son,Fitzroy, he didn’t seem to be injured or bleeding, just bloodied probably with his fathers blood. Ultimately, I put Henry in a dog cage in my living room. I put Fitzroy in a dog cage in the coop that is always there for injuries or as a broody breaker. I didn’t want the flock to notice any remaining bits of blood I may have missed and start going after Fitzroy. Also, I’m assuming he will engage in such activities again as he tries to acquire dominance over his father. I’m also assuming he would eventually try to take on Albert, who is twice the size of my largest hen while Fitzroy is a bantam. I will have to keep Fitzroy separate until his final fate is decided. (Anyone want a gorgeous banty cockerel? Mix breed but appears as Brahma Bantam.)
So, I want to return Henry to the flock. Hopeful plan is to put him back on the roost late tonight, after dark when the flock is sleeping. He will only have been gone roughly 24 hours since he was removed at night the night before. I’m hoping I don’t have to do a full on see-don’t-touch reintroduction. That would mean switching Fitzroy into my livingroom so Henry could use the broody breaker cage in the coop for his reintroduction. Meanwhile I’d be stuck with a crowing cockerel in my living room until reintroductions were over.
I really need opinions especially with anyone with similar situation experience of short term separation from flock.
An earlier photo and an aftermath photo. Fitzroy on the left, Henry on the right. Henry was partially cleaned up, Fitzroy not at all yet. Henry has yarrow on his head to stop the bleeding. (Great stuff!)