A NEW ROOOSTER IN THE FLOCK

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

i have 16 laying hens and 1 rooster (buff orphington) he is 18 weeks......he is tearing up my hens...they fight back and make him run and hide......i feel i should give him a chance, i was not expecting to ever have a roos...have no intentions on hatching any baby chicks... he got mixed up with the buff pullets i purchased......confused on what to do with him....he jumped on my ameraucana and 12 feathers flew off her....made me sad for her........please help...think i should rehome him????

 

[sourland]

It can take a cockerel a while to perfect his mating skills. Some recommend separating cockerels from the flock and reintroducing them when they are more mature and slightly less testosterone driven.

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

It can take a cockerel a while to perfect his mating skills. Some recommend separating cockerels from the flock and reintroducing them when they are more mature and slightly less testosterone driven.

i have no where to put him til he matures, except a large dog cage, he will go crazy locked up there

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, I think you should rehome him if possible. You did not plan to get him, and roosters are kind of a crap shoot, and don't always work out in every flock. They take some experience, and they need some age.

And I think he is stressing you, always solve for the peace of the flock, not every bird will work.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

18 weeks is peak for problems...
....pullets aren't ready to mate and most cockerels don't know that.
I'd have put him on the grill a month ago.

At least put him in the crate for most the day to protect the girls.
No he won't like it, but he'll adjust.