Split flock

[Joshgb]

So I have a flock of 9 birds with 3 roosters (2 EE 1 silkie) and 6 hens 1 silkie 2 RIR 2 orpingtons 1 EE. The used to all come back to the coop together. Recently the EE roosters started trying to mate and now only 1 EE rooster the 2 RIR silkie rooster and one Orpington come back at night I've seen the other EE with the rest of the birds together but they don't come home at night. Is it possible the flock has split and between the two dominant roosters? Should I cull one of the roosters? It's getting close to winter so they need to come back to the insulated coop. Amy advice would be appreciated

 

[Jesus solano]

Hmm. My roosters separate all the time but they always come and hang out sometimes. Roosters usually don’t like to be together and prefer to have there own space. But it all depends on the breed.

 

[Joshgb]

There are 2 Easter eggers. The one that comes back to the coop with the bigger hens and silkie roo is the Alpha dominant rooster. He is at least a pound or more heavier and 2-3 inches taller. I will try seperating him first and see if the other birds come back with him gone

 

[Jesus solano]

Do your chickens eat in the same feeder and waterer? Do they fight if they see each other? When they roost, do they sleep separately? Or do they just scatter randomly around the coop?

 

[Jesus solano]

Ooooh, where your chickens raised together? or did you just introduce them?

 

[chickens really]

Get Rid of two Roosters...I will assume they are under one year old and Cockerels..Not Roosters till one year old and mature..You only need one Rooster for that amount of Hens..

 

[aart]

Is it possible the flock has split and between the two dominant roosters?
Should I cull one of the roosters?
It's getting close to winter so they need to come back to the insulated coop. Amy advice would be appreciated

It's possible.
I would cull at least 2, or 3, depends on your goals.

Insulated?
Is there also plenty of ventilation?

Knowing your location really helps,
you can put it in your profile, then it's always there!

 

[Fairview01]

I have 6 roosters and not even 2 dozen hens. In the run everyone is happy superficially. At night they all dog pile on the useless ramp to the coop.

During free range time the show begins. The same 2 go into the airborne nija acrobatics, knock each other off any hens they may mount. They also refuse to come back into the run until after sundown. Basically without the close presence of the alpha rooster in the smaller confines these two idiots act like brothers with a point to prove. I

Roosters have personalities. Roosters often will have one or two favorite hens and wear them out mating and hens I have seen choose which roosters they choose to be around. But I can only see this behavior during free range. Not one hen or other rooster will even be close to these two ill tempered combatants outside the run.

Sounds like sides have been chosen and lines drawn. As far as getting them back into their run I'd suggest getting some corn chops and only throw some when they are in the run. After a few days of this when you want them back just throw a few handfuls of it I the run and stand out of the way. Nothing like chicken candy to make them forget about allegiances.

 

[chickens really]

I have 6 roosters and not even 2 dozen hens. In the run everyone is happy superficially. At night they all dog pile on the useless ramp to the coop.

During free range time the show begins. The same 2 go into the airborne nija acrobatics, knock each other off any hens they may mount. They also refuse to come back into the run until after sundown. Basically without the close presence of the alpha rooster in the smaller confines these two idiots act like brothers with a point to prove. I

Roosters have personalities. Roosters often will have one or two favorite hens and wear them out mating and hens I have seen choose which roosters they choose to be around. But I can only see this behavior during free range. Not one hen or other rooster will even be close to these two ill tempered combatants outside the run.

Sounds like sides have been chosen and lines drawn. As far as getting them back into their run I'd suggest getting some corn chops and only throw some when they are in the run. After a few days of this when you want them back just throw a few handfuls of it I the run and stand out of the way. Nothing like chicken candy to make them forget about allegiances.

Sounds to me like this years Cockerels and not Roosters at all...Too many Roos once mature. Anyways...

 

[Fairview01]

Sounds to me like this years Cockerels and not Roosters at all...Too many Roos once mature. Anyways...

Sounds to me like this years Cockerels and not Roosters at all...Too many Roos once mature. Anyways...

They are this years April hatch and they are young but they are also fertile. They are way past being a cockerel. These 2 just plain out don't like each other. There's no other way to put it. Inside the run they rarely ever get into a scrap but outside during free range when all the other ones are eating grass and chasing bugs these two are chasing each other over about 1 acre. These 2 rank #2&#3 in the pecking order. They ignore the other roosters in the pecking order and back away from the alpha.

They provide good entertainment when I'm out filling the feeder.