keeping cockerals together -advice please

[weakestlinks]

hi my children hatched out 7 sablepoots this summer 3 cockerasls and 4 hens they have been together since hatching and there does not seem to be any issues with them all being together so far-will this change as spring comes around? i know generally you cant keep two cockerals together as they will fight but as they are all reared together does this make a difference? any advice or experience welcomed please...

 

[greatbarnet]

I know people who have successfully kept cockerels who were raised together without problems, but they were probably a bit lucky. It depends on the character of the birds involved and I don't think you can predict it. I have asked a similar question on this forum (http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7335&p=43252#p43252) and the general advice was to basically just keep a good eye on what's happening, but be ready to split them up at fairly short notice. You may have one who wants to pick a fight with everyone or they may be fine. Trouble may start in spring or they may get along for a couple of years and then suddenly one decides to challenge the leader. I believe you have a better chance of them getting on if they were raised together though.

 

[chrismahon]

As Greatbarnet says. Luck of the draw really. We had one Orpington that used to lie in wait for the top cockerel in the evening in the coop. Three nights in succession he attacked him and bit a point clean off his comb. After the third the top cockerel was despatched as the blood lost was too great for him to survive another attack. We used to despatch the cockerels as they fought until we had 2 left from 20 -even they had the occasional spat.