Adding a Rooster

[Stephen8787]

Hey everyone! I am new here and I am from BC Canada. I have been raising chickens for the last 2 years on my hobby farm and never owned a rooster. I have 40 hens that are roughly almost a year old and I would like to add a rooster or 2. Hoping for some advice, I only have one chicken coop and I know introducing them slowly is key but curious how you all have done that. Thanks.

 

[DemeterAD9]

You can put the roo in a dog kennel or section off part of the run for him to be able to interact but not touch the hens for a little while. After a few days of introduction set him free and let them figure it out among themselves. If he is misbehaving separate them and try again later.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Honestly, adding a rooster to a flock of hens is probably the easiest integration you're ever going to do. If you can find a healthy rooster that's over 1 year old that was preferably raised by a flock of chickens that would be your best bet.
It's always best to quarantine a new bird before adding them to the flock and they need to be kept far away from your flock. You would tend to your flock first and then the new bird. Keep them quarantined for ideally 30 days but 2 weeks should probably suffice. And then just put him in a very large crate near the girls and see how they respond to him. Leave him in the large crate for a few days while they get used to his presence and then let him out and observe their reactions.

 

[muddy75]

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out. You have been given great advice.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. If you plan on multiple roosters, try to get them from the same flock at the same time to ease introduction.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC! We're glad you're here! Good luck with the new roo!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I would try and get 3 roosters, if you are set on adults, because in my experience three are less likely to fight than two. Monitor the situation to make sure they don’t gang up on the weaker girls.
My suggestion would be to get one, follow quarantine protocol, and then hatch eggs and raise the chicks with the flock. Your rooster will be more accepting of the younger boys and he will teach them the ropes.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! We're glad you joined us!