Since you
will be hatching more, consider learning to harvest the extras yourself.
I did have a source that would harvest for me for only $5 a head or take any freebies.. ultimately I wanted cleaner carcasses and learned to do it myself plus raising heritage boys cannot be for free so giving them away was not going to be sustainable long term for me. But the main factor being.. convenience.. working with someone else's schedule and life changes happen. etc.. EVEN when I've planned ahead for all boys, people change their mind, get injured, face illness, job loss, moving, divorce, etc.. Always good to have a plan B and C... which could be your extra coop or what have you. You do YOU.
I'm too rural.. but some places even have livestock auctions where they home their extra or unwanted birds, cattle, etc. I see a few folks on here that use them regularly... NEVER buy, only sell.. for YOUR flocks' bio security!
Might not have been a fight with the head cock.. could have been an attempted mounting and a gal stood up for herself. Could have been a squabble between the two buddies even. Some folks use game cams or others in their coops to help see what might be going on.
I acknowledge that what shezadandy is stating CAN be a reality.. and the advice may be valid (even wise
).. I never ever clean up blood, but usually leave the body alone to work it's magic, including after having a duck scalped by a raccoon.. with a flock of 82+. The duck was stiff for several days and made a full recovery. I DO watch for flock antics though before making a decision like that.. and also continued observation.. I WILL intervene if deemed needed.. NO relentless
bullies tolerated here, EVER.
When my head roo had some comb wounds, the ladies would groom the scabs daily.. making the wound heal quite slowly. The rooster invited the attention and appreciated what they were doing.. sometimes things can be itchy when healing.
A good head rooster.. is worth his weight in gold actually! Not for protection because they can't compete with most my predators and one rooster can never protect 10 hens escorting them all to and from lay boxes, etc. No wonder so many are out of balance with ALL we expect out of them! But yes for babies.. and also for ruling firmly but from a well balanced state of mind.. not over reactive and with discernment to actual threats. Once they've set the expectation they can back off instead of needing to push.
Flock dynamics are a thing of constant change.. don't expect a cockerel to know his place permanently.. chickens are ALWAYS looking to elevate their status in the flock.. higher status means first access to food, best roosting spot, choice mates, etc..
A challenge or first test.. is just that, a feeler.. does one need to get stronger and more confident before stepping up again or are they content with their place??
It's not the size of the bird in the fight .. it's the size of the fight in the bird.. at first an elder will almost always have the upper hand.. due to confidence. But with hormones and age (plus spring and summer daylight hours) comes strength and confidence plus desire to spread seed..
I've had Silkie boys put Marans and other large fowl on the run, It's kinda hilarious at times.
I enjoy chickens. I'm not claiming to have all the right answers. I KNOW especially with people and animals all being individuals.. what works with some won't work for others and maybe not even a second time. So please always use YOUR best judgement and don't get STUCK on one way only!
Do your kiddos have a favorite bird?
