Adding a rooster to yard.

[jaybud]

Would make sense, thnx

 

[jaybud]

Week 2 with new rooster and all seems well, only minor thing is the older hens seem to chase the new rooster off if he gets to close to them. Younger pullets have accepted him and sleep with him in the coop.

 

[Peeps61]

Older hens teach junior cockerels manners. They won't allow him to mate with them until he is big enough and firm enough to overcome their objections. Once he's done this, they'll allow him to mate. It is not unusual for flocks of differing ages to free range in their own groups. I have a multi-generational flock, and they range in four or five groups, according to which birds they were raised with as youngsters. They all get along fairly well, but that's because they have plenty of room to work it all out. All of them return to the same coop at night and roost with no problems. I only have one rooster as well to my 31 hens and 3 pullet chicks.

Watch your drake and don't let him mate you hens. He could injure them.

 

[jaybud]

Thanks for the heads up, funny you should mention that. Had a mallard drake in high school and he would mate with my brothers geese, even though he had two hens for himself and the geese would allow him to do it. Bunch of horn dogs they are.

 

[Peeps61]

Horndogs is right!

 

[lmschladant64]

I could use help in this area. I "rescued" an established flock of 12 mixed layers from someone moving out of state 2 months ago. they really adjusted well and continued to lay 3-4 dozen a week. Added 3 younger hens (I think-not quite sure if one is a roo or just older. ) {who where not laying but just started} from someone else moving out of state one month ago. Adjustment is still in process but they are holding their own. I am considering adding a roo but that opens a hole new world I'm not sure I'm ready for! but I also want flock to grow at a manageable & healthy rate. Suggestions? Have a friend who is looking to get rid of a roo but hesitant to commit. What are things I need to consider???

Any help, advise, suggestions are appreciated!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you are new to chickens I wouldn't suggest a rooster until you are more familiar with chickens and behaviors. Roosters will often become aggressive if raised improperly or if the owner isn't confident and can read his behaviors. Breeding and raising chicks also comes with a sharp learning curve and it doesn't always progress in a natural way.

Only get a rooster if you are willing to deal with some consequences like aggression, as well as hens being mated too much. As far as raising chicks be ready for needing to cull sick or deformed ones, and half of them will be roosters that will need to be butchered.

 

[lmschladant64]

Thanks.....that was my thinking! I don't think I'm ready to "go there" yet! The "helper" in me wanted to help this friend by taking this roo for her but my gut tells me to wait! Just needed someone to "check" me on my thinking!

 

[jaybud]

Every rooster is different with personality so watch carefully after getting one. If you have an accomplished flock all ready, chances are there is one hen who is the ring leader and my not accept him. Hens have a funny way of accommodating without a rooster if one isn't around. If the flock is older, consider getting an older rooster, better chance of the pecking order being established.

 

[lmschladant64]

I do actually have one hen who thinks she is a rooster so thinks your comment is spot on. I am still unsure if all the younger ones I introduced are all hens.....but time will tell! If one happens to be a roo then I will let nature take it's course but I will wait to intentionally add a roo to the mix!