Best way to introduce a Rooster to your flock of ladies

[cluckey]

We had an instance with a Red Tailed Hawk this weekend. It almost got one of my hens. Thankfully the dog was on guard and was able to scare it off and find our lost scared hen in the woods. This led me to some research and some people suggested getting a rooster. Our hens are free range on our 10 acres even when we are at work during the week. The dog is in his kennel during the day so he's not able to protect them when we are gone. I dont mind the idea of getting a rooster. My husband thinks they look and sound really neat so he's on board. We dont have any neighbors as we are out on farm land. Does anyone have any advice on how to introduce one to the flock? And what age, breed would work best. The hens are 1 year old now. Any advice on this would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[aart]

Get an adult rooster who does not behave badly towards humans(hopefully seller will be honest about this).
There are many out there that folks can't keep for one reason or another but are too nice to eat.
That would be the easiest to integrate and the quickest protection against predators(if he has been free ranged before).

A good rooster can usually be introduced to the flock after a day or two of being housed within sight but separated by wire from the flock both on the range and in coop during roosting hours, a large wire dog crate works well for this technique....some folks just let them loose right off the bat.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Get an adult rooster who does not behave badly towards humans(hopefully seller will be honest about this).
There are many out there that folks can't keep for one reason or another but are too nice to eat.
That would be the easiest to integrate and the quickest protection against predators(if he has been free ranged before).

A good rooster can usually be introduced to the flock after a day or two of being housed within sight but separated by wire from the flock both on the range and in coop during roosting hours, a large wire dog crate works well for this technique....some folks just let them loose right off the bat.

x2

 

[cluckey]

So when they all go in at night i should put the new rooster in the coop with the ladies but sectioned off?

 

[aart]

So when they all go in at night i should put the new rooster in the coop with the ladies but sectioned off?

That's what I would do for the first couple day and nights.

 

[cluckey]

So someone in town is giving away their two roosters. One is an OliveEgger and the other is a Buff Orphington. They are 10-12 weeks old. Would getting two be a good or bad idea? I have 12 hens right now. Would this age be a good age? I have some buff Orphington hens and they are as sweet as can be.

 

[123RedBeard]

Only get one ... If it were me it would be the BO ...

 

[aart]

10-12 weeks is young, then hens will probably kick his butt.
You might have to keep him separate until he 'comes of age' at about 4-6 months.

 

[cluckey]

Phew, glad i asked before I called this lady! I probably would have just taken both of them. Thanks for the advise!

 

[Tonia K]

cluckey, how did the introduction of the new roo work out? What strategy did you use?