Adding young hens into flock that has rooster question

[chicksducks1]

Hello! I have a pre existing flock that has a rooster in it. I've read all about adding young chicks to a flock but I've found nothing on if anything changes if a rooster is a part of the flock. I'm pretty sure they can hold their own to the hens but they are still not full grown so I'm worried about the rooster trying to breed with them. Will he try to breed with them when they are young and not laying or will he simply know they are not ready? Is there any extra precautions I should take because there is a rooster in the flock? Or an I simply worrying over nothing? Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

I don't think you are worrying too much.

How young are the new ones you will be adding?
Are the new ones currently close to (where they can see each other) the "older" ones?

 

[chicksducks1]

I don't think you are worrying too much.

How young are the new ones you will be adding?
Are the new ones currently close to (where they can see each other) the "older" ones?

Yes the "teenage" coop is right next to the adult coop since I read that helps with integrating into the flock. They are probably between 4-5 months of age. My flock is very docile and these new ones seem to be rather sure of themselves.

 

[bobbi-j]

A good rooster will not try to breed pullets (hens under a year old) before they are of laying age. How old are your rooster and other hens? Having them side by side can be helpful, but I'd still make sure there are hiding places, multiple feeding and watering stations, and plenty of room for the younger ones to get away from the bigger ones. I wouldn't interfere with the integration process unless the older ones are pinning the youngers down and attacking them without mercy.

 

[chicksducks1]

A good rooster will not try to breed pullets (hens under a year old) before they are of laying age. How old are your rooster and other hens? Having them side by side can be helpful, but I'd still make sure there are hiding places, multiple feeding and watering stations, and plenty of room for the younger ones to get away from the bigger ones. I wouldn't interfere with the integration process unless the older ones are pinning the youngers down and attacking them without mercy. 

The hens and rooster are a year and a couple months old. He seems to be very respectful and good to my hens, he's a dream for a rooster, I got lucky.

 

[aart]

Integration is all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.


If your chicks are still tiny, this might work for you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old