Rooster

Date sort Score sort
Maerzie said:
I just got a new rooster & put him on the roost with my 7 "roosterless" hens. Checked them in the morning, and they are taking turns pecking at him. He won't fight back, just cowering in any corner he can find, like a wimp! Is there any hope for this rooster to intermingle and do his roostering?
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC!

How old are all the birds involved?
I'm betting your 'rooster' is a cockerel yet (under one year old), immature and maybe even less than 5-6 months old.
Most any new bird (except a full grown mature cockbird) thrown into a flock will be harassed.


Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
 
Maerzie said:
I just got a new rooster & put him on the roost with my 7 "roosterless" hens. Checked them in the morning, and they are taking turns pecking at him. He won't fight back, just cowering in any corner he can find, like a wimp! Is there any hope for this rooster to intermingle and do his roostering?
Click to expand...


This same thing happened to us when we were introducing our rooster. He was in fact only about 4 months old at the time. He would cower in the corners and let the girls peck him and pull out his beautiful tail. Then one day he started crowing and just took over the whole flock. I guess he must have been slowly fighting his way up the pecking order and then that day was finally able to overtake the top hen. This spring we hatched chicks from him and our girls! They were and are so cute, although they are no longer chicks anymore. We got a great hatch rate! 9/10 eggs. So it just takes a little time, if he is being seriously injured I was suggest maybe separating him for a little while til he heals, but bring him by the coop everyday to see the girls to help them get used to him. I hope it goes well for you and your little roo!
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Lauren4868
    • Like
    • Sad
3 roosters - 1 rooster = happy coop?
2
Replies
13
Views
544
Mrs. K
Mrs. K
T
    • Like
One problem solved, another arises -- please help
Replies
9
Views
1K
Folly's place
Folly's place
A
When will my rooster be able to defend himself
Replies
3
Views
672
LuciferRoo
LuciferRoo
L
    • Sad
    • Wow
Hen attacks rooster when he mates.
2 3
Replies
21
Views
3K
SilverBirds
SilverBirds
A
Game rooster behavior
Replies
4
Views
649
Chicken Heel
Chicken Heel

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom