Young Roosters Fighting

[John Varner]

I have 7 youngsters about 8 weeks old with 3 of them appearing to be roosters, they would chest bump and bow up against each other for the past 2-3 weeks, this afternoon if found two of them going at it pecking and grabbing each other's beak. I grabbed who I thought was the aggressor and put him with the other chicks, while checking on the other I heard a ruckus and the aggressor was locked up with the other little rooster. Everything I've read this shouldn't be happening this early. I put the "aggressor " in a small pen by himself for the night, any advice? John from Navarre

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is quite young for that much aggression, but isn't unheard of. I personally would keep it separated until it was big enough to butcher. Generally such roosters are trouble.

 

[DakotaDreamer]

Are they with hens? Perhaps if you separated the rooster from the other chickens,let him see the others through the cage and then reintroduced him later on, he might calm down. Best of luck with the rooster.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Old hen give good advise, as usual. If there's not enough space for these babies, more fighting will occur. If you have adult birds, the little smart*** can get his attitude adjusted with them, until he goes to the freezer. Mixed age flocks are the best! Mary

 

[aldarita]

I have 7 chicks that are 7 weeks old, 3 of them are cockerels like yours, I saw 2 of them in a fight that lasted longer than usual until I separated them, then after a while they started again. They have a big area to roam but I am even letting them out into an even bigger area but have to be supervised since it is out of their safe yard. I believe they fight a lot less when they have plenty of room to run and catch bugs.

 

[Mrs. K]

You were smart to separate, and I would keep them separated, wishing they will all be nice seldom works.

 

[John Varner]

I put him in a smaller pen by himself last night, at lunch I let them all out together and there wasn't any fighting, I put them back in the 2 pens then let them back out together after I got home from work and no more fighting. I am proud of my little flock of chicks and 3 hens.