Hen pecked cockerel

[Geezer]

I tried to introduce a 5 month old cockerel to my 5 mature hens, and they are very mean to him. My question is: Will he eventually take his rightful place in the flock? Or should I separate him until his is mature?

 

[cavemanrich]

Do the introduction, like any other new chicken, regardless it being a rooster. Have Roo in a secured separated area, within sight of the hens. If you have a secured run, then separate the hens and Rooster with chicken wire barrier. Eventually each will be able to tolerate each-other. Try to introduce together while free-ranging. Be there in case things start to turn BAD.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[chickens really]

Separate him in a look no touch pen. By the time he is 7 months old he will be more assertive. What breed is he?

 

[aart]

I tried to introduce a 5 month old cockerel to my 5 mature hens, and they are very mean to him. My question is: Will he eventually take his rightful place in the flock? Or should I separate him until his is mature?

How did you 'introduce' him?
He's too immature to 'rule the roost' and integrating a single bird is the most difficult integration.
Hoe big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might these tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Shadrach]

I tried to introduce a 5 month old cockerel to my 5 mature hens, and they are very mean to him. My question is: Will he eventually take his rightful place in the flock? Or should I separate him until his is mature?

How mean exactly?
Hens are mean anyway. He's going to have to come to terms with this eventually.
If he's not physically injured then let the politics sort itself out.

 

[Geezer]

Separate him in a look no touch pen. By the time he is 7 months old he will be more assertive. What breed is he?

Black Australorp

 

[Geezer]

How did you 'introduce' him?
He's too immature to 'rule the roost' and integrating a single bird is the most difficult integration.
Hoe big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might these tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks so much for the info. They are pretty much free-range.

 

[Geezer]

How did you 'introduce' him?
He's too immature to 'rule the roost' and integrating a single bird is the most difficult integration.
Hoe big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might these tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
[/QUOTE
Very helpful, thanks

 

[Geezer]

They have a very large area, almost free-range

 

[Geezer]

Do the introduction, like any other new chicken, regardless it being a rooster. Have Roo in a secured separated area, within sight of the hens. If you have a secured run, then separate the hens and Rooster with chicken wire barrier. Eventually each will be able to tolerate each-other. Try to introduce together while free-ranging. Be there in case things start to turn BAD.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks