Advice needed

[Spanielkiss]

Hello all . I have 4 young pekin (bantam) hens of about 5 months old , they have been with me for 2 weeks . They are not laying yet , I expect them to lay in the spring . I have been looking for a cockerel of a particular colour and finally found a really well bred one . The problem is he is 2 years old and currently living with seveal hens and 2 other cockerels . My question is whether it is safe to introduce him into my small flock of 4 Or are they too young ? I am worred he will want to mate them before they are ready as he is an experienced adult.
What are your opinions ?
thank you x

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Your hens are old enough to breed. Bantams in my experience lay at 5 month to 8 month. You can definitely introduce him to your hens. If you do get him make sure to quarantine him for a month just in case he may have parasites or a disease. After his quarantine time is up put him in with your hens. They may fight a little, that is just so they can find the pecking order.

 

[Spanielkiss]

Thank you for the reply

 

[aart]

I am worred he will want to mate them before they are ready as he is an experienced adult.

Depends on if he is smart as well as experienced.
He would try to dominate, maybe with a mount, but if they are not laying he would not persist.