Am I bonkers?

[MarkJr]

We picked up this very sweet 8 week old Delaware cockerel. He is getting his butt handed to him by the flock. If I let him out to free range, they’re on him like missles.

I have an are about 9’x13’ that has an old coop that could easily be opened to this area for a common run.

My thoughts are to take the four 6.5 week chicks that the hen is weaning, and the cockerel, and put them in this old coop..... split the run so they can see one another (probably a third for the youngsters) and eliminate free range for a couple weeks.

This will allow the cockerel to acclimate and mature. The younger pullets don’t despise him, and maybe they’ll be allies when they merge together again instead of a lone young cockerel.

It should also force my pullets to re home and lay in nest boxes.

What say you? Will it work??

 

[MarkJr]

The 9x13 area will be open to both new and old coops, for clarification.

 

[aart]

That might work.
Have a Plan B.

 

[MarkJr]

I let him out last night to free range a half hour before bedtime. They didn’t gang up on him. All the girls went in to roost. He roosted too!

He picked his spot, weathered a few pecks for a few minutes. Not constantly, but if he picked his head up. Five minutes later they were side by side preening.

I may not separate them. Might just free range till he’s acclimated, then lock everyone in later to get eggs in one spot.

 

[Folly's place]

When he's a little older, he will be interested in the pullets, and they won't be ready for him. There will be some drama then! If there are no injuries, and plenty of space, it will work out, probably. Cockerels can be nice until they aren't, and time has to pass to see how he behaves as he's growing up.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

We are all enablers here! Are we 'bonkers'? Who'd ever think so?!?
Mary

 

[aart]

I let him out last night to free range a half hour before bedtime. They didn’t gang up on him. All the girls went in to roost. He roosted too!

He picked his spot, weathered a few pecks for a few minutes. Not constantly, but if he picked his head up. Five minutes later they were side by side preening.

With the main flock or the weaned chicks?

 

[MarkJr]

With the main flock or the weaned chicks?

Main flock.
He was on roost till everyone left this morning, came down and was eating. The other hens came over to him. He backed off ten feet and let them eat. They left, he went back to eating. No chase, no pecking. It was cool out too so they had the energy to chase if wanted.

I may just let this ride a couple days and see what happens.

 

[MarkJr]

I say hens incorrectly. I have one hen, hot/cold on weaning 7 week old pullets, and 10 twenty week old pullets. 3 are at POL

 

[Folly's place]

His early upbringing is an advantage!
Mary