Adding hens to a lone rooster

[MissyP]

We have had 2 roosters since they were approx one day old. My daughter raised them and they are her "babies". The have been held since they were very young and would sleep on her, loved being with her, loved being held. They are 5 months old now. Sadly, a few days ago, a hawk killed one of the roosters right on our deck. We missed it by just a minute or so, but intervened in time that the hawk did not get to carry him away. My daughter was/is devastated(I am too). I have had thoughts of introducing a hen or even another rooster, but I'm not sure the current rooster we have would accept it? We currently have a bantam cochin, the one that was killed was a bantam golden phoenix. The cochin we have was the dominant rooster, but the two roosters did everything together. They rarely fought. Our little cochin seems a little lost without his buddy, but I don't want to do the wrong thing. We only had the 2 roosters and I do not want a large amount, so the max I would want to have would be 3 total. Would you advise this and would it be better to introduce a hen or two over a rooster? What age of chicken would you introduce? Or would it be better to leave him alone?

 

[sourland]

Sorry for your loss. He and the other rooster got a long because they were raised together. It is very likely that he and another rooster would fight. If it were me I would try to obtain two bantam hens for him. Silkies or chochins would be excellent additions. Be on guard. The hawk will be back.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Welcome to byc!

 

[MissyP]

Sorry for your loss. He and the other rooster got a long because they were raised together. It is very likely that he and another rooster would fight. If it were me I would try to obtain two bantam hens for him. Silkies or chochins would be excellent additions. Be on guard. The hawk will be back.

Thank you, we are currently building a protected area for him so he can still free range somewhat during the day instead of being stuck in the coop while we are gone. Thanks for the advice

 

[MissyP]

Welcome to byc!

Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

Sour land's advice is exactly what I was going to write. Cock fighting is real, roosters strange to each other will almost alway fight, and sometimes very viciously. A couple of mature hens would be perfect, and an easy addition to make.

However, it will change his attitude toward people, he will be more interested in his girls. Birds do need other birds though, they are a flock animal. See if there is a local poultry club.

Mrs k

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry for your loss, and you've had good advice here already. Don't get another male, rather get two or more pullets or hens. He'll be thrilled! They will form a nice family group after a while getting acquainted. Lock them up for at least a week or more, until the hawk moves on. Don't let your birds out at all for that time, or risk loosing another. Mary

 

[MissyP]

So sorry for your loss, and you've had good advice here already. Don't get another male, rather get two or more pullets or hens. He'll be thrilled! They will form a nice family group after a while getting acquainted. Lock them up for at least a week or more, until the hawk moves on. Don't let your birds out at all for that time, or risk loosing another. Mary

Thank you so much, our little rooster has mostly been living in our house in our arms this whole week or we have been outside with him watching him closely. He hasn't been alone at all except at night to sleep in his coop. We are in the process of building a covered run with his coop so he can have a safe place to be in the grass when we are not here. No more free ranging without us watching closely. We are also currently looking for 2 hens for him.

 

[MissyP]

Sour land's advice is exactly what I was going to write. Cock fighting is real, roosters strange to each other will almost alway fight, and sometimes very viciously. A couple of mature hens would be perfect, and an easy addition to make.

However, it will change his attitude toward people, he will be more interested in his girls. Birds do need other birds though, they are a flock animal. See if there is a local poultry club.

Mrs k

Thank you! We are in the process of looking for 2 hens. We just want him to be happy and safe!