10 week old roo and 9 week old hens

[Canucker]

Hi I’m a new chicken owner and would like some tips to add a 10 week old roo in with my 9 week old hens. I tried to let him free range with them in the evening when we brought him home and he pecked them quite hard. It went downhill in the coop later. I put him in a dog kennel in the coop to sleep. I separated part of the run also so they can see each other . I would appreciate any tips on timelines etc. He is a barred rock and very friendly and even fell asleep on my lap so very docile and friendly it seems

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Keep him penned next to them for at least 2 weeks. Than see how he does. He may need separate housing for a while. He's at the age where he's starting to sexually mature, so he may act poorly for quite some time. I personally don't like cockerel that will peck the pullets, but he's young yet, so give him time.

 

[Canucker]

Keep him penned next to them for at least 2 weeks. Than see how he does. He may need separate housing for a while. He's at the age where he's starting to sexually mature, so he may act poorly for quite some time. I personally don't like cockerel that will peck the pullets, but he's young yet, so give him time.

 

[Canucker]

Keep him penned next to them for at least 2 weeks. Than see how he does. He may need separate housing for a while. He's at the age where he's starting to sexually mature, so he may act poorly for quite some time. I personally don't like cockerel that will peck the pullets, but he's young yet, so give him time.

Thank you. I will keep them separated in the run and coop. What about free ranging. Would trying that for short periods in the evening sabotage things?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you. I will keep them separated in the run and coop. What about free ranging. Would trying that for short periods in the evening sabotage things?

Supervised mingling is great. I just wouldn't leave them locked up together as I'd be worried about the cockerel going too far with his pecking. I'm always overly cautious, but I've seen what chickens sometimes will do to each other. Best to take it slow if at all possible, especially at their ages.

 

[LaFleche]

Although their age might seem similar, cockerels mature much faster than pullets and at around 8-10 weeks, they already start to chase the pullets trying to mate, while pullets don't appreciate this kind of attention until they are POL, meaning starting to lay eggs.

Cockerels will quite often even hurt pullets severely when trying to mate them forcefully.