Introducing a new Rooster

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CalebKrohn23

CalebKrohn23

In the Brooder
5 Years
May 12, 2014
36
0
22
I am getting a new rooster soon and was wondering if I should leave him in a cage next to my partridge rock hens for a day or just put him with them right away? I do not have another roo, just ten hens.
 
Anytime you bring a new bird into your flock you always keep them separate, not only to make sure they are healthy and free of disease (could wipe out your whole flock) but they need to get to know each other... I would isolate him for a week or two to make sure he is healthy and then transfer him into an area where he can see and hear the hens, In my experience its not the new roosters that harm the hens but the hens that harm the rooster.. After a week or so then I would allow them to be together but watch them, don't intervene unless its really really bad, If he is wanting to mate the hens will teach him how to treat them. after a few weeks you will see hens squatting for him, in my coop its always the most dominant hen that is the last to give way and allowing him to cover her, she may even prevent him from covering your other hens for awhile. Sometimes it takes time :)
 
Thank you for the help! I am getting the rooster from some neighbors and I don't think he has any diseases. My hens are only 12 weeks old so they aren't really hens yet. The rooster is probably 2. Do you think they will still fight?
 
CalebKrohn23 said:
Thank you for the help! I am getting the rooster from some neighbors and I don't think he has any diseases. My hens are only 12 weeks old so they aren't really hens yet. The rooster is probably 2. Do you think they will still fight?
Click to expand...

Not sure, they have around 8 more weeks before they start laying... My sister introduced an older rooster to her 8 week old pullets and they did great.. I think a lot depends on the rooster, I still would separate him with chicken wire and let them get used to each other that way first. As far as isolating him, that is completely your choice :) good luck!
 

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