I raised some birds that I hatched from eggs and the cocks killed other males until there was only one cock alive. They will be friendly and then all of a sudden kill one. They would do it when I was not around. I would come home to a dead body. Although I did see them get into minor fights while I was home. Minor in the sense that no one was killed. They were free ranging on over an acre so they had plenty of room.

I think you have to debeak them when young. That sharp point on the beak they punch a hole in the other males head and he is a goner.

It will get much worse as they get older. When you get down to one male you will know who the killer was.

What kind of chickens do you have.

I hope we get some expert advice on this problem.

debeak? UGH that is a horrible form of mutilation.
I should like to think there is a better way.

Yes there is. Keep only 1 rooster or seperate them.

On the plus side, you can be assured the surviving rooster is the best choice for developing/breeding hardy stock.
Brendasue

Right now it's your roosters but the hens will show the same behavior as they age. Just part of chickens. Give them as much room as you can but other wise you just have to stay out of it. Tom

I would like to thank everyone for all your words of wisdom regarding this "incident". I now have Rocky Road in a separate cage in the same run as the rest of his "littermates", (minus the two rogue roosters), because he misses their companionship. He very quickly adapted to an indoor-lifestyle, and was content to sit on our lap or shoulder for hours at a time, just hanging out, preening himself. He protested loudly when put back into his separate pen. I was hoping that his littermates would learn to accept him again, but I'm not sure that will happen...Yesterday was the first time he was near the other chicks, and he was not well received. I have to keep him separated till his scabs heal and feathers can grow back, but I'm afraid he will never fit in again. Out of 10 chicks, only 2 were female...I'm hoping I can put the females with him when the time comes, just for companionship. These chicks were purchased when they were 2 1/2 weeks old...my first hatch is due Friday or Saturday, so I have no one else to keep him company.

Thanks again for all your advice and words of encouragement!

Juliette
Charleston, SC

My first hatch was 3 chicks (broody hen). One dissappeared at 2 days old the other two grew up to be roosters. at 7 months old they were not being very nice to my hens, to the point that my hens had no feathers on their heads or above their tails. They were like a continuous tag-team. Nasty. So they are now in my freezer. Tasty.