While visiting family in north Florida a few years ago, I was mesmerized by the chicken setup on the small farm behind a local farm-to-table restaurant. They had 30-40 chickens in a 40'x15' run/open coop, including a dozen males of varying breeds, sizes, and ages (according to spurs). None of the males had injuries – absolutely zero bloody combs – and none of the hens had feather damage.
What kind of sorcery is that!? My chickens have 100x the space, and the roosters can't get along.
I asked workers around the farm how the birds were so serene in a small space. They all shrugged like it was no big deal and gave me the contact for the main chicken keeper, who was also the restaurant owner. She never answered my email.
Two massive, older Light Brahma roosters did appear to be patrolling, and some of the younger cockerels were napping on roosts rather than on the ground chasing girls. But they all looked to be in good weight and feather condition, meaning they were accessing enough food and not overly stressed. Indeed, the birds all appeared relaxed and sociable with humans and each other.
To this day, my only hypothesis is that with such a mixed group of ages thrown together in a small space, males learned from a young age to remain peaceful for self-preservation.
