When cockerels spar

[mdarrin60]

I'm new to chickens but my girlfriend has raised them before. Anyway, I've noticed that when two cockerels spar, the fight ends with a sharp peck on the beak of the losing bird. I've realized that they have a very complex social structure so I'm wondering, is there anything to this?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! I'm afraid I've never keep two Roos together as mine have always been seperate. Please do pop by the beaivour section as I'm sure members there would be able to help you. Here is the link ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/18/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying

Enjoy BYC and all the chicken chat

 

[drumstick diva]

Sorry I don't have a clue but, many times when cockerels spar, one ends up dead. I would not let it get to the fighting stage. They need to be kept separated or someone needs to be rehomed.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I've seen similar behaviour between my girls, so maybe its a behaviour not confined to males.

All the best
CT

 

[Birdrain92]

I'm new to chickens but my girlfriend has raised them before. Anyway, I've noticed that when two cockerels spar, the fight ends with a sharp peck on the beak of the losing bird. I've realized that they have a very complex social structure so I'm wondering, is there anything to this?

Welcome To BYC! Glad you joined the flock! Once a rooster has won that final peck is sort of, "Get out of here! These are my hens not yours, go!" Sometimes if there's no surrender it can lead to death. Usually doesn't but it's always a possibility. Especially if the omega rooster can't get away from the alpha rooster. Also sometimes the omega rooster can be sneaky and try and breed the other hens that are not his, and the alpha rooster will attack the omega rooster, then the hens feathers can be pulled out, after the omega rooster being attacked and running off, the alpha rooster will sometimes breed the hen which causes more stress. That's sometimes the problem with too many roosters is over breeding and stress. If you want to know more on poultry behavior all you have to do is ask.