How to Separate Fighting Roosters Safely

When you’ve got two fighting roosters on your hands, it can be a heartbreaking experience. Not only do your roos run the risk of killing each other, but it also means an otherwise friendly rooster-relationships is no longer possible. 

Sometimes, roosters can be kept together their entire lives and not end up in a cockfight. But in most cases, even if raised together, roosters will eventually duke it out. 

It’s natural for roosters to want to be the king of the flock. So they’ll fight for their position and their favorite hens. 

Many times, rooster fights end in death. So it’s important to attempt to stop the fight and separate the birds. 

But that’s easier said than done because spurs are flying and beaks are pecking…and it’s a dangerous situation for anyone to insert themselves. 

With that being said, if you’ve got no choice but to barge into the fight and bust it up, here’s what I recommend. 

Be Careful When Separating Fighting Roosters

It goes without saying that you’ve got to protect yourself when getting in the middle of an intense rooster fight. 

Here’s how:

1. Bundle Up

Make sure to wear long sleeves, leather gloves, and long sturdy slacks. That way, if you’re caught in the crossfire, you’ll be well protected from those laser-focused fighters. 

2. Wait for the Fighting Roosters to Take A Break

If possible, wait for your roosters to get tired. It’s a bit scary to have to wait because you’ll see a lot of bloodshed. But, if you can, wait until your roosters are huffing and puffing a bit. Or until the “loser” retreats and attempts to hide. 

Amazingly, it doesn’t take long for roosters to tire. So, when you see your birds take a break, or slow down, it’s your chance to step in.

3. Be Prepared

Have everything you need to separate your rooster ready to go. And have a plan for where you will keep your roosters while they heal from the fight. Placing an injured bird into any flock will encourage pecking and bullying. Each rooster will need to recuperate on his own. 

Furthermore, plan out what you’ll do with the rooster you decide not to keep. Unfortunately, you’ll never be able to put them together again. 

Go for the Weak Roo

When there’s a break in the fight, it’s time to take action. 

Before you step in, make sure you’re protected, have something you can fight back with, and a box handy.

Then, identify the “most-winded” rooster, and approach him carefully. As you do, keep one eye on the aggressor to ensure you don’t get caught in the crossfire. 

Trapping the weaker rooster makes it easier to quickly catch the bird. The chicken with energy left in the tank will be much more difficult to catch. And there’s no reason to chase one chicken when the other is ready to surrender. 

Catch Fighting Roosters with A Box

The pooped-out rooster will be easy to catch at this point. So, carefully place a box gently over the rooster (the opening of the box will be facing the ground with the rooster still in contact with the ground). Simply cover the rooster and hold the box down. 

Once one of the roosters is safe under the box, he will no longer be visible to the other rooster and in most cases, this will stop the attack. 

Keep an eye on the loose rooster and, if he attacks you, make sure you have something you can protect yourself with. Sometimes roosters are so fired up that they’re ready to fight with anything in front of them…including you. 

Once you’re sure you’re safe from the loose rooster, flip the box lids closed on the resting rooster. Simply slide them closed under the chicken. It’s a bit awkward, but the rooster under the box isn’t going anywhere. In fact, he’s probably relieved that he’s out of harm’s way and resting in the darkness of the box. 

Pick up the box, supporting the closed flaps (so he doesn’t fall out), and move him to a safe location. Make sure he’s out of sight of the other rooster or they’ll continue to fight through cages, windows, and fencing. 

Catch the Other Rooster

Unfortunately, you’ll still have to catch the other rooster and set him aside to heal as well. The best way to do this is to allow him to roost at dusk and capture him at that time. He will be lethargic, pooped from his eventful day, and much easier to grab. 

Relocate this rooster to an equally safe space. 

If you have hens that depend on their roosters for protection during the day, consider keeping your chooks in the coop until you can reunite them with one of their knights in shining armor.

Keep Them Separated

If your two roos lived in harmony up until this point, things will never be the same. It’s in their nature to fight to the death, so you’ll have to make some decisions about which rooster you’ll keep and which will either go to freezer camp or to a new home. 

You may want to keep the “winner” because he was the stronger rooster and will protect your hens with a passion. Or, if the winner was rude to you (i.e. he attacks you)  you may decide to keep the “loser” knowing he’s kinder to you and your hens. 

In the end, the real winner is the rooster you decide to keep.