Adding a new roo, tips?

[cmsagirl]

I have 3 hens that were with a mature rooster for as long as I've known, but sadly he turned mean and drew blood on several occasions so he's gone. I have a new roo I'm looking at and was wondering how he would be or more importantly how the hens would be if I went on and put him in the coop with them? He's mature like the previous roo.

 

[QueenMisha]

Well, I placed my new roo in a tractor coop, just so he knows where "home" is and noticed he's "rattling" at times when he breathes UGH! (He seems to act fine, not lethargic and was pecking at the food.)
Contacted the lady and asked if any of her birds had any respiratory issues. Well, she says, "they had the 'snarfees' this winter." (Snarfees=sniffles??) Her husband had been treating them with tetracycline x 4weeks in the water. They said they haven't noticed any symptoms for the past month.
The roo is a Belgium danver, I'm unfamiliar with the breed. He's little but I believe an adult. Sorry for taking this thread sideways....things kinda went sideways.

Remove him from the coop... spray down everything with disinfectant. Keep him away from the hens as far as you can and don't wear the same shoes or clothes when working with him, and wash your hands vigorously up to the elbow.

Chickens do not get colds. Occasionally, a very singular bird might develop an issue with dust or a stand alone respiratory issue but if multiple birds are having problems that suddenly occur when it gets cold 99% of the time it's a contagious respiratory disease, typically Mycoplasma. Tetracycline is a medication designed for treating Mycoplasma and a few other respiratory diseases; while it can sometimes be helpful in treating other issues, that is what's it most effective at. The issue is that is DOES NOT CURE MYCO OR ANY OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASE. These diseases are generally incurable and once infected remain within the bird and flock for life.

My personal recommendation would be to take him to an avian veterinarian and get him blood tested for Mycoplasma Gallisepticum and Mycoplasma Synoviae. This test typically costs between $20-$40 dollars. It is probably the most important $20-$40 you will ever spend on your chickens. Many respiratory diseases look alike but require different treatments; you need to KNOW what you're dealing with. If he comes back positive and the hens are still asymptomatic, cull him.

For future reference I'm going to reiterate my advice in my prior post:

Though if he's from an unknown source he should be quarantined away from the flock for 2-4 weeks prior to introduction.

Please take it from someone who knows - quarantine is so so so important. Dealing with a Myco (S and G) positive flock is a royal hassle and pain in the you know what. This goes for pretty much any disease, though Myco is actually mild as far as respiratory issues go. It usually results in a whole lot of birds with "snarfees" rather than a whole lot of dead ones like some diseases cause.

And please know that I am not trying to alarm you or cause you worry or make you fearful. I just want you to take this seriously. I myself didn't, a long time ago, and I've never regretted something more in my life.

 

[QueenMisha]

If he's mature he can simply be placed in the coop and they will accept him. Though if he's from an unknown source he should be quarantined away from the flock for 2-4 weeks prior to introduction.

 

[cmsagirl]

I would deffinitely keep him in the coop for a few days so he'll understand home. I have our boy in a smaller tractor next to the girl's coop, and while they were out free ranging I let him out to see if theyd get along. 2 of them didnt pay him much attention but my golden laced wyandotte ran over and rolled him over. He then ran back into his coop and started grazing. I was surprised he went back into his coop bc he's only been in it and "home" for 3days

 

[Mrs. K]

The rooster will go where the hens go. He won't be letting them get away. Adding a rooster to a group of hens without an established roo is one of the easiest adds in the chicken world.

Once I did and out with the old and in with the new, in one afternoon. Not a single hen looked twice.

Mrs K

 

[cmsagirl]

Awesome thanks!

 

[Neveralone]

Perfect timing. I had the EXACT same issue. As a side note, my girls free range, should my new roo be kept in the coop for a few days, so he understands "home?"

 

[cmsagirl]

I wish my hens had gotten that message! Lol. I think the problem is that my new roo isn't fully mature yet. He was born around Christmas time is what the lady said that I bought him from

 

[Neveralone]

Well, I placed my new roo in a tractor coop, just so he knows where "home" is and noticed he's "rattling" at times when he breathes UGH! (He seems to act fine, not lethargic and was pecking at the food.)
Contacted the lady and asked if any of her birds had any respiratory issues. Well, she says, "they had the 'snarfees' this winter." (Snarfees=sniffles??) Her husband had been treating them with tetracycline x 4weeks in the water. They said they haven't noticed any symptoms for the past month.
The roo is a Belgium danver, I'm unfamiliar with the breed. He's little but I believe an adult. Sorry for taking this thread sideways....things kinda went sideways.

 

[cmsagirl]

No worries! I've never heard of the breed and don't know much about medicating chickens myself