What to do if you have two Cockerels

[VioletsMom73]

I have the same situation! Two roosters, one 8 week old and one 12 week old, but I have NEVER had a problem! I think the key is raising them together and having enough hens for the both of them to share without fighting. They both crow and sleep together with the ladies. Then again they have 10 ladies to share lol. Good luck

Well if my second one really is a roo, they have 8 ladies to share so far

 

[FeatherLace]

Well if my second one really is a roo, they have 8 ladies to share so far

Four each! That should work out fine then, lol! One of my roos is a Lakenvelder and the other is a tiny Rosecomb Bantam, and my bantam is the more dominant one so far! No fights or even so much as jumping at each other, but he's been the first one to crow and he stands so proud! Always has his wings strutting across the ground and holds his head so high!

You're second one is actually looking pretty pullet-y... but I'm not expert, don't hold me to that!

 

[NatJ]

Her tail feathers seem different than the other girls, but she carries her tail mode like a girl.

I personally look more at combs and wattles than at tails, when they're this age. Red combs are males, pale combs are females, in-between might be either. If you have at least one cockerel and at least one pullet, it becomes much easier to sort them. Otherwise, you can end up squinting at a batch of same-sex birds, looking at tiny differences and trying to figure out if they mean anything

 

[FeatherLace]

Here is a (pretty bad) picture of my Lakenvelders of 8 weeks old beside each other. There's a DEFINITE difference in comb, even at this age, and that's enough to tell you lol.

My Rosecomb bantam rooster has a bantam lady that grew a tail just as fast and is just as long and skinny as his, but shes definitely a pullet!

 

[VioletsMom73]

Four each! That should work out fine then, lol! One of my roos is a Lakenvelder and the other is a tiny Rosecomb Bantam, and my bantam is the more dominant one so far! No fights or even so much as jumping at each other, but he's been the first one to crow and he stands so proud! Always has his wings strutting across the ground and holds his head so high!



You're second one is actually looking pretty pullet-y... but I'm not expert, don't hold me to that!

I am a newbie so I really have no idea so we shall see. Love that your Bantam is the dominant roo

 

[Mrs. K]

I hate to rain on your parade, but being raised together really does not much to influence chicken behavior. Space is going to be much more important. Can you post a picture of your coop and run?

If you have a lot of space, MORE space than the 4 sq feet per bird. Roosters take more space than hens, this might work. It might not too. Roosters do not understand the concept of sharing hens, each rooster wants all the hens. A lot of space helps here, as he can only defend so much space.

If I was keeping 2 roosters, I would want space for 25-30 hens. Do set up a crate, and keep a fish net near by, so that if they start fighting, you can separate them quickly. They don't call it cock fighting for nothing, it can get pretty violent.

Most people vastly underestimate the violence in a rooster fight if they have not experienced it.

Mrs K

 

[VioletsMom73]

I hate to rain on your parade, but being raised together really does not much to influence chicken behavior. Space is going to be much more important. Can you post a picture of your coop and run?

If you have a lot of space, MORE space than the 4 sq feet per bird. Roosters take more space than hens, this might work. It might not too. Roosters do not understand the concept of sharing hens, each rooster wants all the hens. A lot of space helps here, as he can only defend so much space.

If I was keeping 2 roosters, I would want space for 25-30 hens. Do set up a crate, and keep a fish net near by, so that if they start fighting, you can separate them quickly. They don't call it cock fighting for nothing, it can get pretty violent.

Most people vastly underestimate the violence in a rooster fight if they have not experienced it.

Mrs K

 

[VioletsMom73]

I am actually in the process of building a fun addition, so when I finish it this week I will post pics. Thank you for the great advice though, I certainly want to do what is best for the birds and if I do indeed have two roosters, I have a friend I can place one with for the safety of both birds.

 

[VioletsMom73]

*run addition lol

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Sounds fun! Definitely post pics! I think each flock is different with different personalities and dynamics without totally set universal sales. so do what works for you and your birdies, I’m glad you do have a plan B however if the two boys don’t work out. Best of luck! I hope u can keep both!