Adding a cockerel to a flock of mature hens

[Trish1974]

I purchased a 9 month old cockerel today. He's my "discount araucana" due to some pretty bad leakage. That's okay though; I got him for his blue egg gene. He's currently in quarantine in my utility room.

My flock consists of 6 mature hens. (I will be adding 4 more this summer). They are some big, stubborn, set-in-their-ways old biddys! After the proper integration protocol, what can I expect when I add this young roo to the mean girls? He is on the small side and doesn't have spurs yet. He is crowing. Will he try to dominate since he's male, or will I be throwing him to the she-wolves to devour since he's immature?

 

[ChickNanny13]

I'm just guessing but because of his age, thing the mature girls will kind of put him in place UNTIL he's "mature". But think he'll eventually set them older girls straight. Just do a "See but no touch" approach when introducing him to the girls. He'll be in 7th Heaven with HIS GIRLS. Just my thought...

 

[Pork Pie]

I'd imagine he'll be just fine. He'll be put in his place to begin with, but it shouldn't take long before he is accepted as a cock bird by your flock.

 

[igorsMistress]

I've only added a cockerel to older girls once, but it was recent.
If your guy is 9 months old, I'll bet he gets busy pretty quick. My boy grew up with the older girls and started dominating at about 3 months. Before he was six months old he was ruling the roost.

Your girls might chase him off for a bit, but he will take over.

 

[aart]

Spurs are not a factor, they come later....he should be sexually mature at 9mo.
The old girls may well kick his butt all over the place, or be glad to have a boy in their midst, or some of each. May depend on how savvy he is and how much space you have for him to keep his distance until he wins them over.

What breed hens do you have...gonna make some OE's??

 

[Trish1974]

What breed hens do you have...gonna make some OE's??

Nope, I'm going to use him to keep my blue egg layers going. I have two EEs that are 1/2 ameraucana 1/2 brown leghorn that lay blue eggs. One of those girls has some huge muffs. I'm interested to see how breeding tufts to muffs turns out! I'm also planning on getting a few Salmon Faverolles pullets this summer to make some favaucanas.

 

[chickens really]

He is 9 months so he should be mature enough to handle the Hens..Hopefully he puts on the Charm and has them swooning from his tidbiting and his strut..
Congrats I think he is fantastic..

 

[Trish1974]

He is 9 months so he should be mature enough to handle the Hens..Hopefully he puts on the Charm and has them swooning from his tidbiting and his strut..
Congrats I think he is fantastic..

Thanks! I was shocked I was able to find a TRUE araucana in these parts. Even though he was culled from their breeding program I think he'll do just fine for me; since I'm just interested in breeding blue egg layers. I got him for $10! (Not factoring in it was a 3 hour round trip drive in a gas guzzling SUV )

 

[chickens really]

Thanks! I was shocked I was able to find a TRUE araucana in these parts. Even though he was culled from their breeding program I think he'll do just fine for me; since I'm just interested in breeding blue egg layers. I got him for $10! (Not factoring in it was a 3 hour round trip drive in a gas guzzling SUV )

Awesome..He is beautiful. You will get nice Chicks from Him. Congrats..

 

[aart]

Great!
Please update here to let us know how it all goes.