rooster choice and age to add to small flock

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cptbahama

cptbahama

Songster
9 Years
Jan 13, 2011
196
22
101
augusta, georgia
I have 10 hens all hatched on the same day, Aug 3rd, so we are approaching 8 weeks. I want a rooster and none of the 16 chicks I have are showing signs of being roo-ish. The local NPIP hatchery has a 12 week old Welsummer rooster. I'm wondering how he would do being introduced to a coop full of 8 week pullets. And as far as roosters go, how does the Welsummer rank?
These are the chicks I have, if it means anything:
1 Salmon Faverolles
1 RIR
1 Barred Rock
2 Ameraucana's
3 Polish top hats of various breeds
2 Speckled Sussex
coop is 108 sq ft and they free range daily
 
Adding an older rooster to your hens at this point might turn into trouble, it would be best if you waited until they were older, or to get a rooster who's closer to their age or younger, the rooster will become sexually mature and your hens won't be old enough yet. I haven't had a welsummer rooster, so I can't comment on them.
 
I too, am of the camp - wait until your pullets are fully matured. A rooster is an easy introduction, but really it is better to have them all be adults. Later, if you keep a multi-generational flock, an adult rooster does not seem to bother the pullets until they are ready as there are mature hens. Older birds keep juvenile roosters in line.

Juvenile roosters, without older birds in the flock to knock them down a peg, often become bullies and can get very violent with people and hens.

Mrs K
 
Agree with the above posters. Adding at this age is just going to make things rough for the pullets in a month or so. A rooster at this age is pretty pointless anyway, he's not going to mate to give you fertile eggs, and he's too young to be a flock protector. Wait until your hens are mature and laying, then find a rooster a tad younger than they are. Let them teach him manners and he'll be a great flock leader when he matures.
 
Good advice given ...and taken, kudos to all.

But just had to say, Welsummer roosters can be awesome, had mine since a chick and he's always been a good bird to me.
He was good with his pullets (once I got rid of the other cockerels in his grow out pen), and then he was schooled by 2-3yo hens.

 
Thanks!
He's a looker alright, that was his first full adult plumage and I had to take dozens of photos to get that one.
He's looking pretty ratty right now in the midst of his first full adult molt.
 

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