Adding a Rooster

[J99]

I know to integrate new pullets or chicks to my flock , it’s pain staking and takes time and putting them inside the coop separate but where the others can see them etc etc etc, but what about just a single rooster or older cockerel ? Adding him into a bunch of laying pullets?
the only real worry I have is my two drakes
Do I need to do the ever so slow integration with a single cockerel? He’s going to establish dominance no matter when I allow him in

 

[quackingdom]

I added a lone adult rooster to my flock last year. He was my neighbor's rooster and he was getting bullied by their other rooster. We know him and his flock well and weren't worried about having to quarantine or anything. He carried the rooster down the road, plopped him in the chicken pen with the hens and some ducks, and all was well.

The rooster didn't mess with the drakes and they didn't mess with him. He had a hard time keeping up with the hens the next morning since they ignored him and streaked off into the distance as soon as they got out of their night pen, but it didn't take long before he was fully a member of the flock.

I don't know if that's the best or safest way to do it, so I hope others will chime in as well, but it did work just fine for us to just plop him in.

 

[Cre8joy]

I've never had any problems adding a roo to my flock. We've added a few. The only things that give us issues with new roos was our guinea hens but they hate everyone. If you know where they are from add them. Quarantine if you need to and then just watch them. Good luck with your new guy.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do I need to do the ever so slow integration with a single cockerel? He’s going to establish dominance no matter when I allow him in

A lot depends on how mature that cockerel is. Your pullets are laying so they should behave like mature hens, not immature pullets. Their maturity and his maturity are key.

If he and they are mature enough this is usually about as easy an integration as there is. He Wow's them with his magnificence and self confidence, mates with a couple, and it's over. It's often that easy, very little force or violence. If he is immature he does mot Wow! them and it can get rough. Sometimes the dominant hen puts up some resistance, there can be a scuffle between him and her. It's not always real peaceful, you get no guarantees with living animals, but just turning him loose with them is the way I'd try it. But have a Plan B ready in case they need to be separated and then go about it slower.