Can father and son live together?

[elmdene]

I have 3 twelve week old pekin chicklets hatched out this summer - 2 girls and a boy. I have been thinking of finding another home for them but have only had one offer so far which I'm not too happy about so am toying with the idea of keeping them. However I read somewhere on this forum that once the young cockerel starts to crow, the older one could even kill him. Well Herbert has just started crowing! The chicks are in a separate house but free range with the others in the garden together, albeit in separate flocks. The young ones do try to make friends but the 4 older ones just chase them away - it's a bit sad really. I'm sure I've seen flocks with more than one cockerel. Could I try putting them all in together to establish a pecking order or would the older cockerel really attack the younger one?

 

[foxy]

It's very much trial and error, with plenty of space and hens to go around it can work, bit hit and miss though. I do have a few established cockerels together, with one policeman who is the alpha cock and recognised by the other boys.

 

[tygrysek75]

When you keep all cockrels together without any ladies they usually live happily together(friend of mine keeps 20 like this without many problems),but do not know if it work for you with only 2.

 

[mightymohan]

it will be fine. pekins are not a particularly aggresive breed, dad should remain boss and as long as you keep them all together from now on he will be fine.

 

[chrismahon]

We had problems with both Orpingtons (which are usually placid) and Wyandottes at 6 months and at 9 months they had to be isolated. We did end up with one Orpington and one Wyandotte left together and they seemed OK except that the Wyandotte used to get pecked a lot -they both have new homes now. Major problems start if hens are introduced. But I have seen large flocks with several cockerels amongst them so it does work sometimes. Suppose you will have to see how it goes and keep an eye out for a new home just in case.