Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey everyone,

I have two 5-month-old cockerels in my small flock of six (yes, I know the roo-to-hen ratio isnt ideal, and Im working on that!). Lately, theyve been squaring off with each other and engaging in daily crowing competitions. Theyve also started testing boundaries with me, occasionally trying to nipthough thats a battle they never win!

To help curb their behavior, Ive been picking them up and holding them for a while, which seems to calm them down. However, I was really surprised when I picked one up and the other came running toward me, seemingly ready to defend his buddy. He didnt actually attack, but it definitely felt like he was considering it.

Since these birds have been together from day one, Im curious if this is normal rooster behavior or if its a sign of future trouble. Id love to hear from more experienced chicken keepersany advice or insights?

Thanks in advance!

Roosters can be unpredictable at this age. If they keep challenging you, stay firmwalk confidently, dont back down, and correct bad behavior immediately.

You might notice this behavior intensifying as they get older. Two roosters in a small flock often leads to problems, but if they remain manageable, they might settle into a stable dynamic. Keep us updated!

You're doing the right thing by handling them often. If one of them starts showing more serious aggression, consider rehoming the more dominant one before things get worse.

I had a similar issue with young roosters, and separating them for short periods helped. Once they had time apart, their bond weakened slightly, and they weren't as aggressive when reintroduced.

The second rooster running up when you pick up the first one might be a sign of flock loyalty or just his protective instincts kicking in. Keep an eye on them to make sure it doesn't escalate.

It's great that they calm down when you hold them. Keep reinforcing that you're the leader of the flock, and they'll eventually get the message. If they continue to challenge you, you may need to reassess keeping both.

Since they were raised together, they may have formed a strong bond. That's good in some ways, but if they start ganging up on you or the hens, it could become a real problem.

It sounds like your cockerels are establishing dominance, not just with each other but also with you. Keep up the handling-showing them you're in charge early on can help prevent serious aggression later.