14 week old rooster in with big girls?

[gimmie birdies]

I always say take the roosters from hens their own age and givem to the big hens. This can happen at 8 weeks, even before young hens go in pen. The roosters may even be nice to you because you are nicer then the hens.

 

[TyRi]

Let them choose which run to be in, but let them mingle.

That's a bad roo, he should be culled

The other pen has girls from 13ish weeks to 11weeks and i feel like the big girls might bully the younger girls so i was hoping to keep them separate until they are closer to laying unless you guys think it would be fine?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The other pen has girls from 13ish weeks to 11weeks and i feel like the big girls might bully the younger girls so i was hoping to keep them separate until they are closer to laying unless you guys think it would be fine?

Have you read these articles on integration?

This is my article on Integrating:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-a-pictorial-guide.79343/


And here is another excellent article on integrating flocks:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

 

[TyRi]

I always say take the roosters from hens their own age and givem to the big hens. This can happen at 8 weeks, even before young hens go in pen. The roosters may even be nice to you because you are nicer then the hens.

So it should be fine they stay in the big girl run from now on? Think i introduced the cockerels a little late since they are big enough to put up a big fight being the same size as the big girls. Well 2 of them got put in their place and know to not try the big girls but the one boy is confrontational and only backed down to 1 hen. Just wanted some reassurance it would be fine!
Or should i bring the boys back into their old run and integrate all the new ones at once?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Keep an eye on that confrontational boy. If he doesn't settle down pretty quick, it may be time to cull him. As long as the other boys are respectful of the hens, let them stay with them, there is no need to separate. That's my opinion anyway. Let's see what the others think.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

At this point I would leave the younger girls where they are until they start to lay. If you integrate them now the cockerels may start jumping on them and they are not ready for that yet.

 

[TyRi]

At this point I would leave the younger girls where they are until they start to lay. If you integrate them now the cockerels may start jumping on them and they are not ready for that yet.

That is the main reason i wanted to separate the boys from the younger ladies. They are starting to try to mate them and I know they are certainly not ready for that!

 

[TyRi]

Keep an eye on that confrontational boy. If he doesn't settle down pretty quick, it may be time to cull him. As long as the other boys are respectful of the hens, let them stay with them, there is no need to separate. That's my opinion anyway. Let's see what the others think.

Also, sorry for so many questions but you are giving me great advice, i recently picked up 4 pullets from a friend that had to get rid of them last week. 1 is around 10 weeks, and the other 3 are closer to 12 weeks and they have been in a temporary little run beside the 13 weeks old. Should they integrate fine into the 13 week olds especially since the boys have switched runs? Will try to use those articles when I do it! Thanks in advance!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm glad you think I'm giving you good advice, but listen to others as well. The first thing I would tell you is to quarantine any new birds for a month if it's not too late. Keep them as far as possible from your birds. Check them over carefully for lice and mites. Watch for any signs of respiratory illness, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, drainage from eyes or nostrils. Always handle your own birds first and wear separate shoes in the new birds' coop. Change clothes and shower after being with the new birds.

After a month if they are still healthy, then do the integration thing. Read the articles and let the birds be side by side for a week or two first with only fencing between them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ah, I see the quaranting thing is totally moot. Never mind.