Advice needed!

[dportolese]

About 6 weeks ago, we adopted 6 laying hens-4 are approx. 1 year old & the other 2 are older & VERY dominating! Everyone has adjusted to these 6, but yesterday we brought home two 1 year old Americaunas-1 rooster & 1 hen. The roo is extremely protective over his hen, & I was told he only gets mean when he's "in the mood" & wants to have his way with her. My plan is to keep them separated, but in the same pen for a few days til they get acquainted. My problem: does anyone have any prior experience introducing new chickens with this type of situation? I'm afraid the the 6 "old" hens will attack the new hen and then the rooster will attack the other hens or that the roo will just go in there, guns loaded & ready to clean house! Not sure what to expect!!!

 

[sourland]

There will be squabbling to some degree. It's the pecking order - everyone is always looking to improve their position. The rooster will probably provide a buffer between his hen and your established flock. Understand that there will be fighting - monitor and intercede only if it looks as if someone is going to be SERIOUSLY injured.

 

[dportolese]

Any suggestions on how long we should keep them close but separate? We were thinking 3-4 days?

 

[leesbunny]

When I introduced some new little ones into the flock, I left them in a cage inside the coop for 3 days. During this time, they all could see each other, but no touch. Then I would go down and let them out for a little while, but when I would give them all their oatmeal, the new ones would eat in the cage and the old ones were out. Then it was easy to shut the door. I did this once or twice a day, having the new ones out for about an hour and I watched for any big fighting. Then after about a week, I left them out over night and went back to check in the morning and everything was fine.

 

[dportolese]

Thanks! I guess we'll see what happens. Appreciate the feedbacks.

 

[dportolese]

Ok, so we put the new Americauna hen & rooster with the other 6 hens & it hasn't been too bad. The new hen is catching a peck here & there, but nothing major. The rooster is EXTREMELY happy to have the undivided attention of the 6 new hens. They reminded me of the old hen on the cartoon, Foghorn Leghorn: "It's a MAN!"

Ok. Back to the subject at hand. The rooster is the problem. Ever since we put him in the big pen, he attacks the fence trying to get at us humans as we walk around! I'm not sure if there is anything we could do that might change this behavior, but if anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate it! Should we ignore him, try intimidating him into feeling "dominated" by us, or just accept him as he is! Hubby has threatened to put him in a pot of chicken & pastry!