Will Rooster Step-up?

[Black Duck Darth Vadar]

Hello. I'm new to keeping chickens and to BYC. In April 2019 we bought 2 Leghorn pullets and 2 Speckled Sussex "pullets". In July, both SS "pullets" began crowing, and it has become obvious that they are roosters. Our neighbor offered to take the more dominate roo (previously Jolene, now Joe) in trade for a hen. The less dominate roo doesn't seem to be stepping-up in regards to the pecking order. My questions are:

1. Is it likely that the less dominate roo step-up to the top of the pecking order now that the dominate roo is gone?
2. How long does it normally take to reestablish who is at the top of a pecking order when a top member of a flock is removed?

 

[azygous]

Chickens aren't organized socially to put the male at the top as humans have traditionally done. (Getting over that bit by bit.) A young cockerel has no more status than his female mates. Young chickens are all relegated to low rank by the adults, and they need to work their way up, regardless of gender.

The cockerel will be displaying more assertiveness than the pullets as he comes into his hormones and becomes preoccupied with sex. However, he will be rejected and often thrashed for his efforts until the hens become accepting as time passes.

I've observed that it can take up to two years for a young roo to establish his rank with the hens. But it's still not always a given that he will end up at the top.

 

[Black Duck Darth Vadar]

Chickens aren't organized socially to put the male at the top as humans have traditionally done. (Getting over that bit by bit.) A young cockerel has no more status than his female mates. Young chickens are all relegated to low rank by the adults, and they need to work their way up, regardless of gender.

The cockerel will be displaying more assertiveness than the pullets as he comes into his hormones and becomes preoccupied with sex. However, he will be rejected and often thrashed for his efforts until the hens become accepting as time passes.

I've observed that it can take up to two years for a young roo to establish his rank with the hens. But it's still not always a given that he will end up at the top.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[aart]

How long has it been since the swap was made?
How old is the new female you added?

 

[Black Duck Darth Vadar]

How long has it been since the swap was made?
How old is the new female you added?

It has been 3 days since the swap. The new female is appx 4 months old. She is similar age/size/breed as the rest of the flock, and seems to have been accepted well. The cockerel seems to be getting pushed around by the females.

 

[igorsMistress]

It'll take some time. Since you kept the subordinate, in my experience it seems to take them a minute to realize they're not going to have to fight another boy for the ladies. Once they realize that, things will change and he'll step up. Especially when those hormones start to go crazy as azygous said.

 

[aart]

It has been 3 days since the swap. The new female is appx 4 months old. She is similar age/size/breed as the rest of the flock, and seems to have been accepted well. The cockerel seems to be getting pushed around by the females.

3 days is short time, glad the new bird was accepted well.

He's young and it will take time for him to 'come into his own'.
Hopefully you have space where any bird can get away from aggressors,
the male now and the females soon.

These tips might help, about integration but can work well in any flock situation.
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.