Two roosters living together?

[HarleyHyena]

Okay! So I recently integrated both of my flocks together. They both seem to be doing fine. I thought I only had one rooster out of all the chickens I had. Turns out one of the Silkies I have is a rooster... I never knew until a week or so ago. They don't seem to fight or bother each other yet. I haven't heard the Silkie crow yet, at all... Do you think I should separate the two now, or wait to see if they start getting aggressive with each other?

 

[Jesusfreak101]

How many hens do you have? And how much younger is the new roo?

 

[HarleyHyena]

How many hens do you have? And how much younger is the new roo?

I have 18 hens and two Guinea. They should be about a month younger?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I always leave them, they may fight occasionally they may not, I would only get rid of one if they are being too hard on the hens, usually silkie roosters are easy going, if you separate the roosters they will really fight when brought together, so just leave them and wait and see how your flock dynamic develops.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

Mmmm i dont think it will be an issue then, i have 23 hen and one rooster (thought we had two) from my understanding aslong as you have enough hens for both you should be okay. Another poster said (diffenet post same topic) that they just create two different flocks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They form smaller flocks within the flock , certain roosters follow certain hens, but there are no clear cut lines about who's with who, younger birds will stick together and if they have a rooster among them he will try to be their rooster, chickens from the same batch tend to hang together most of their lives.

 

[Dragon Lady]

is it normal for the dominant rooster to always put the chase on the lower ranking rooster? Will they settle down?

I added two new roosters last week. They are buff orpingtons and have been raised together. They were decribed as gentlemen which is what I was looking for in a rooster.

TIA

Sharon

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The top rooster will always chase the lower ones if they get too near him. When keeping multiple roosters it helps to have lots of room for them all to get away from each other. Some will eventually come to an unseen agreement and others never will.

 

[Dragon Lady]

The top rooster will always chase the lower ones if they get too near him. When keeping multiple roosters it helps to have lots of room for them all to get away from each other. Some will eventually come to an unseen agreement and others never will.

Thanks, that makes sense and is what I'm seeing in my two boys. The senior roo has his job cut out with a flock of unruly hens but seems to be making some ground with his job lol They are Buff Orpington roosters. I was so afraid of them being so big with my mutt girls. lol

Sharon

 

[silky ma]

I have 3 silkie Roos and I see the occasional spat between roo 2 and roo 3.
Roo 2 tolerates roo 3 until he just feels like roo 3 is annoying him. This is where I step in and let roo 2 know what is acceptable behavior. Roo 1 knows he is top dog and gets along with both and occasionally will tell roo 2 to knock it off.

I have raised silkies since 2000 and have always had more than one too. The deal with keeping a few silkie Roos together is for you, while all are young is to handle them constantly and those who do not see you as their buddy must go. You are top chicken and must be respected by all or you will have problems.

I am currently trying to find a home for roo 2 since My silkie gal has hatched 11 Cochins and I know at age 8 weeks I have 5 up and coming Roos. I will be keeping 1 Cochin roo.

Since I am handling all 11 chicks daily I am finding who is in love with me. Out of those Roos I will keep one and try to find homes for the rest.

Squabbles will occur intervene when possible. Mean Roos must go!!