Adding a rooster help

[Jenbirdee]

What if the rooster is an 8 week old cockerel and there are 2 hens same breed ( Orpington ) that are one year old?

 

[Jenbirdee]

To clarify I’m getting the little man tomorrows and would love to just put him in with them ….

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What if the rooster is an 8 week old cockerel and there are 2 hens same breed ( Orpington ) that are one year old?

They might bully him a bit, and he might run them ragged in another week or so

 

[Tonyroo]

Just remember, when the cockerel goes in to his hormone stage. You need to react quickly depending on what he does with the hens.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Just remember, when the cockerel goes in to his hormone stage. You need to react quickly depending on what he does with the hens.

What age is that stage?

 

[nekocafe]

To clarify I’m getting the little man tomorrows and would love to just put him in with them ….

Due to his size and age the hens would most likely attack him. I would definitely wait until he’s bigger or try to find a 1 year old rooster.

 

[Finnie]

What if the rooster is an 8 week old cockerel and there are 2 hens same breed ( Orpington ) that are one year old?

Yes, like the person above me said, at 8 weeks, this is a chick introduction.

You will need to do the look but no touch method. And, it would be better if he came with 1-3 8 week old pullets that he knows already. Then the introduction would be easier on him/them.

 

[ChicFil- A]

What if the rooster is an 8 week old cockerel and there are 2 hens same breed ( Orpington ) that are one year old?

Introduce him in baby steps, have a separate pin for him, my hens killed my new cockerel, I had him in a separate pin but he escaped and they killed him unmerciful, that’s my experience… they are not kind to new chickens regardless of size.

 

[bobbi-j]

If you have options, the adult would be better. As others have said, 8 weeks is a baby and the hens would likely beat him up. The raging hormone stage can begin around 4-6 months. That won’t endear him to your hens. He’ll have one thing on his mind, and would spend his time chasing them around trying to mate, while they will want no part of that.

 

[LaFleche]

Whatever method you decide on to introduce a new rooster/cockerel to your flock, make sure to quarantine first and meanwhile treat for internal and external parasites. You don't want your whole flock being infested by the newcomer.