Adding a young Rooster to established flock

[NatJ]

You got him from a neighbor. Does that mean someone with property literally adjoining yours?

If so, not much point in trying to quarantine--germs don't respect property lines anyway.

(The people suggesting quarantine for medical reasons have a good point in most cases, but I think not if the rooster's home property was already next door to yours.)

For integration, I would try putting him in with the hens during the day and watching what happens. It will probably be fine, and if it's not you can pull him out and do it more gradually. (I know several other people have said pretty much the same thing, so I'm just adding support for that idea.)

 

[Bigbluefrog]

The people suggesting quarantine for medical reasons have a good point in most cases, but I think not if the roosters home property was already next door to yours.

About a mile down the road. I guess we consider everyone in the area our neighbors.
Our friend and neighbor, he actually got the rooster extra for us and another lady. He didn’t keep any of them as he has 2 older roosters and about 40 hens (all buff Orpingtons). The rooster not being quarantined but separated by a fence. I want to get hands on with him for awhile as he wasn’t handled much by previous owner. So tonight when he is mellow I will do that. I hold all my hens and do physical checks. And most will just hop on my lap. They do free range outside fence area but not today. I can call them in and lock them safely in the large fenced in area.

 

[LaFleche]

Whatever method you decide to go with, I would always recommend to deworm him first and treat the legs for possible scaly leg mites and check him carefully for poultry mites and lice, treating him for that as well if need be.
You don't want him to pass all these nastinesses on to your birds and infest the whole coop and run area.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Good luck with your new boy, he looks great! We added a young rooster to a flock of adult hens at the start of autumn and we had no problems at all... I thought some of the feisty girls might not take too kindly to him but he settled in very quickly. When introduced to the flock it was daytime and under supervision, then regular checks for the first few days.