Can I add a rooster?

[notley04]

I have twelve pullets that are between 5-6 months old. They have established their pecking order but I would like to add a rooster. They free range quite a bit during the day and I heard roosters help alert when their is trouble. What is the best approach? Should I get a full grown rooster?

 

[FeatherTay]

I have twelve pullets that are between 5-6 months old. They have established their pecking order but I would like to add a rooster. They free range quite a bit during the day and I heard roosters help alert when their is trouble. What is the best approach? Should I get a full grown rooster?

I would add in a younger cockerel. The older pullets will teach him some manners.

 

[notley04]

I would add in a younger cockerel. The older pullets will teach him some manners.

Like a cockerel around their age? Do you think the pullets pick on him? I've read I should never introduce just one chicken by itself.

 

[nuthatched]

Like a cockerel around their age? Do you think the pullets pick on him? I've read I should never introduce just one chicken by itself.

Not 'never', it's just bit of a harder process. ;] get a rooster younger then your pullets, quarantine for 3-4 weeks to make sure he's healthy then introduce them on either side of a fence so they can see but not touch. for a 2-3 weeks.