adding a new rooster to a hen only flock

[darren19822000]

im getting a nice new rooster for the ladies. they have always been just the 6 girls. what do i need to do special when i bring the roo home? do i keep him apart from the rest? i have dog kennels i can place him in...ive read its good to bring him in when they go to sleep so they all wake up together, but i dont want to wake up to hurt birds. the roo is part Ayam Cemani part Sumatra...my hens are 3 barred rock and 3 polish poms. the new roo is coming from a very reliable farm so no fears of sickness when he arrives

 

[17 chickens]

If he is safe then just put him in with the girls.... He will be just fine!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

im getting a nice new rooster for the ladies. they have always been just the 6 girls. what do i need to do special when i bring the roo home? do i keep him apart from the rest? i have dog kennels i can place him in...ive read its good to bring him in when they go to sleep so they all wake up together, but i dont want to wake up to hurt birds. the roo is part Ayam Cemani part Sumatra...my hens are 3 barred rock and 3 polish poms. the new roo is coming from a very reliable farm so no fears of sickness when he arrives

No such thing. A reliable farm has its own set of issues that may lie dormant, a reliable farm would never take in adult birds without a proper quarantine so neither should you.

Are you set up for a proper quarantine? If not I would pass on him, actually I would pass on him anyway. Get some straight run day olds from a hatchery.

Gary

 

[Mrs. K]

How old is the rooster? I imagine you are worried about the rooster hurting the hens, but if he is too young, they may pick on him.

There are valid points considering quarantine, but most people are not set up for a quarantine. It is a risk, but generally healthy looks healthy. If you have a very valuable flock either financially or emotionally, I would not add adult birds.

If you have a hobby, and while not wanting to make your birds sick or dead, would not be in a state of depression over it, I would just add him. You are risking 7 birds, they could have something, he is unprotected against too. It is a risk.

Those silly girls may be a bit standoffish for a day, but by the next morning they will be in love with him, if he is 6 mo + rooster. If he is younger, it might take a bit longer.

Good luck. I have added a new rooster many times, and never had any trouble doing so. It is a risk, but I have been lucky. Do not add anything you feel sorry for.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @darren19822000 !
Mrs. K gave you excellent advice.

Age of all the birds can be a factor, so that would be good to know.
Keeping a new bird in a kennel for a few hours or a couple days can be advantageous.
Let's them all get a good look at each other before physically meeting.
If he's a young bird and your hens are older they may kick his butt and if you free range he may take off.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

There is this thing that chickens have that is known as a pecking order. Currently one of your 6 hens occupies this coveted position. There MIGHT be a short fracus as the new rooster claims the title of head chicken, but it should be a short fracus.

As one previous poster stated there is a HUGE difference between a ROOSTER and a COCKEREL. Which is this new man in town?

 

[SilkiesRcool]

Even a rooster can be picked on by the hens also. I tried throwing my rooster in right away and he got beat up bad. Just do the proper quarantine procedures and then slowly start introducing him to the girls.