Adding older rooster to younger flock?

[drumstick diva]

BTW Dobie Lover, I think you should change your roo's name to"NOT FABIO" Make him earn his name.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks for the advice! That's pretty much what I was thinking, I was only interested in the one posted because I had never heard of the breed and they looked like cool birds lol. However I have serious doubts that those are actually the bird they are claimed to be. I was mostly just curious about the breed, even though the one I saw for sale might not even be one lol. Anyway! - What if I were to get one the same age, or as close to it as possible? Do you think there would still be problems? Does it make a difference if the rooster is raised with your hens from chicks, vs introduced later? I'm sure there is, I just wonder if it's a significant difference. I suppose there are many factors. Thanks for the response.

If you get a cockerel the same age as your pullets, you have no idea if he will turn out to be human aggressive, good with the girls or worse yet, a pullet attacker. I would just wait.
People are always giving away or selling human friendly cockerels and sometimes roosters.
IMO, your best option is to wait until your flock starts to lay, then find a human friendly rooster that has been raised by other chickens, not one that was an "oops, I got a cockerel in with my pullets" boy that is being rehomed. A cockerel that has been raised by a broody hen in a flock of other adult and juvenile chickens will learn far more about proper behavior than a cockerel raised in a brooder with a lamp.
When you bring any new bird into your flock, you should do a 30 day quarantine far away from your flock to ensure the new bird does not infect your flock with some hidden illness. That is a whole other thread though. Just try to be patient and wait on the boy. They can really be a handful.

 

[Bethany101]

Thank you so much, that definitely makes sense! I have had such a hard time finding the info I needed about this, I'm so glad I finally joined! I really appreciate you and everyone taking the time to respond and help me out

 

[Bethany101]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Since the pullets are nowhere near sexually mature they should not attract any unwanted behaviour from the cockbird. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Good link to read before building a coop / run - Space requirements

Best wishes

Pork Pie

Thanks, I'll give those a browse!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC! We're so glad you joined us!
I would agree that It's best to wait until your girls are laying before you get a rooster. And try to find somebody giving away a "people friendly" fella. Later in the spring there are usually plenty to be found. Good luck! I hope you can find you a good boy!

 

[Bethany101]

Thank you! I am actually suspecting my barred rock might be a little cock. It has been very friendly up until the last week or so, and has been squaring off to me, getting tall / puffing out, trying to peck/ bite when I reach near it. Not big enough to hurt me (yet), but I have been asserting myself by pinning it down (firmly, but gently) or "pecking" back when it does this lol. Hopefully it returns to being friendly and climbing on me for scratches. Otherwise I'm lighting up the grill lol !