Adding a rooster

[Hyliangamer]

I am starting a new flock and have juvenile birds between 7-8 weeks old. They transitioned to their adult coop and have started spending some time outside with netting being used for protection. I live in a rural area with the potential for predators and have seen hawks flying at times. My neighbor has a flock of ducks that she free ranges in her yard but has dogs that are also outside, which she states are a deterrent. Of the birds that I have, one is a cockerel.

I am concerned about increased predation as there is no adult rooster to offer any level of protection. I have seen listings on craigslist for adult roosters in my area but I am unsure if one could be safely added to my flock as they are so young. Would an adult rooster be accepting of juvenile birds that are not sexually mature? I currently have 12 hens, 1 cockerel, and 2 white broad breasted turkeys. I am not opposed to adding a few mature hens if necessary.

 

[IvysAnimals]

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you have to make sure there's enough room, hens, food and other essentials for you chickens. It's best to predator proof the coop and wait till they're older to get another rooster. Getting a rooster now might be dangerous to your little ones. Hope that helps

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[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Adding your approximate location to your profile helps a lot here. Right now, with avian influenza a real threat to our flocks in many areas, having the birds under a solid roof so wild birds and bird poo dropping from flyovers is best. Look up APHIS and your state's ag website for information about it, and your area's risk.
This is not the time to add an adult rooster! Your cockerel might develop into a nice guy, or not; maybe next year an addition would be good.
Everyone loves chicken! And predators are everywhere, most of whom a rooster can't fight off anyway. As a lookout, they are very helpful, very true. And having roosters completes the flock dynamics, generally a good thing. Having a polite, not human aggressive one, not a jerk.
Pictures of your coop and run will be helpful too.
Is this your first flock? Enjoy!
Mary

 

[SueT]

I use bird netting over my chicken run and have never had hawks try to breach it. ( When I let the flock free range in the past, I had hawk attacks, and the roosters didn’t seem to deter that, tho it may have been worse without them.) You are probably just fine. Adding an adult rooster to juveniles could add a lot of social complications.
I have a fake owl overlooking my run. Some say that deters hawks.