Can more than 1 cockrel co-exsist?

[FiB]

SO, following on from my other cockerel related post..!! Of the 2 left, one is absolutely magnificant in plumage and seems quite mild mannered - I'd love to keep him as my next cockerel (my current cockerel is also gorgous and lovely but we inherited him so not sure how long he has in this world - how long can they live?)

The question is - can 2 cockerels co-exist in the same flock? They are free range over about 6 acres and a woodland and are currently housed separately. We've only got 3 hens at the moment (as you will have guessed the attempts to get more though raising chicks has not gone to plan!!!) but will get some POL and possibly ex battery hens in the next few weeks (yes I know its a rubbish time of year to do that financially!!).

Such a great forum, many many thanks for all your help, Fiona

PS Got 10 Beulah Ewe lambs yesterday, so I'm sure there will be more newby questions about my new girls!

[Crickleymal]

I don't see why it should be a problem. I've stopped on quite a few campsites where there were more than one cockerel and apart from a bit of crowing it didn't seem to be all out war or what have you.

[darkbrowneggs]

Fowl can live for around 12 years or so, though I would think fertility of the males would drop off at around 4-5 years. You can make a guess at his age by the length of his spurs (Don't forget to trim them if they get too long or they can mortally damage the hens whilst mating)

As for fighting it probably depends on the breed and how much "game cock" was in the original mix. Obviously the instinct to fight comes from the genetics, and as gamefowl have broad breasts they have been included in a lot of breeds. I find if they have been raised together from "chickhood" they will mostly tolerate each other especially if there is space for one to escape.

Also (apparently) if quite a few cockerels are run together in a large area there won't be so many fights as once one pair kicks off there is a bit of a free for all and everyone forgets who was fighting whom (though I haven't tried this myself)

The only thing to bear in mind is that unless you are intending to kill/eat all the male offspring which are produced you will find it difficult/impossible to find homes for them. And if you are wanting a good bird to eat at the end of the day check your potential "sires" out. They should feel heavier than you expected when you pick them up, with plenty of breast muscle and a long breastbone

[Henwoman]

I have had trouble with two cockerels in the past, with bloody heads and horrid injuries within minutes of being introduced to each other, so obviously we've had to pass a cockeres on to maintain the status quo with one cockerel. However, for the last few months I have had four adult cockerels and only three hens and there doesn't seem to be a problem. They grew up together from chicks so maybe that's the reason.

[Potter's Farm]

We find that cockerels are ok together in an all male flock, when we have more than 1 in with the girls they fought over who was the boss. Also think it depends on the breeds involved, our barneveld cock picked on our cuckoo maran cock, who is slightly more submissive.

[FiB]

Many thanks all - think I'll just keep an eye on things and se how it goes then! Many thanks, Fi