Can I add another?

[MindiWynne]

My friend has a 3 1/2 month old hand-raised Americauna Rooster that needs a home and I would like to adopt him, but I am still traumatized by my lack of experience that caused a new pullet to be pecked to death by the older chickens in my flock. I currently have three hens that were my original girls and two remaining 5 month old pullets that I still feel like I have to keep separate from the older hens. This guy was hatched in the home, is the only survivor from the eggs that were fertilized, and has never been with other chickens. My pullets are friendly and can be held etc, and eventually I wold like to incorporate all into one flock, but would it be safe to add this little rooster guy to their family?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depends on how old he is. If he's real young, the results could be the same as with the pullet. Young individuals rarely fare well in an established flock.
If he is close to being mature, it would probably be fine. Once he secures his place, he'll probably become the peacekeeper in the flock.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Hand raised cockerels, IN MY EXPERIENCE... are the ones that become nasty when their hormones kick in. Because they don't fear/respect you.

You need to work on getting your pullets and hens together if that is your end goal. Put them in a look but don't touch set up for a while, followed by free range together... and eventually stick the new girls on roost after dark so they all wake up together. Provide hiding spaces and simple visual barriers along with maybe an extra feeder during this time period can help a lot.

I'm sure you COULD add that little cockerel, just fine. However with the concern you express and previous failed attempt... I would SKIP on adding rooster dynamics to your flock. They are a whole other beast, and can add quite a bit of havoc to an otherwise calm flock... which you haven't yet achieved.

Did you try look but don't touch already? My chicks/new additions are mixed with my big girls before 6 weeks most of the time. But every situation and set up is different. Unless you specifically want fertile eggs, I wouldn't do it. More hassle and drama than it's worth.

Best wishes, no matter what you decide..

 

[azygous]

Here's an article I wrote for BYC that shows how to safely integrate a new chicken into an existing flock. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock

The objective is to keep the new comer safe while providing time for them and the flock to adjust to one another. A too-soon mingling can result in tragedy or at best, loss of self confidence in the new bird.

This slow integration takes around two to three weeks and usually results in satisfactory inclusion of the new comer into the flock.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Besides the whole integration issue, have ypu thought about biosecurity?

Are you set up for a proper quarantine or just planning on taking the risk?

You can't save every chicken, you have a responsibilty to your existing flock first

Good luck

Gary

 

[barn206]

I've recently added an older rooster to my flock of 3 month old flock. I screened him in and introduced them slowly. My chicks are pretty much free ranging during the day. This addition changed my flock drastically. They seem to be fine free ranging but are afraid to go in the coop. They are now afraid of me and run the other way. I was able to walk them in at night and now / for now it's changed. Last night I noticed how ruff this roost is with them so I separated him again and finally. I'm going to find him a new home. I wouldn't do this again. Just my take on managing my flock. I have 2 rooster and 17 hens. I'm a new starter and after this week of them together, it's not worth the aggravation. I think I'm fine with what I have. If I didn't have any roosters, then I'd probably add a Young Rooster to the flock. Forme I think 1 rooster is plenty.
Just sharing my week with you all.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think 3 month old birds are too young to add a mature rooster to. He'll want to mate with them before they're ready.
I love roosters in a flock and sometimes have multiples if the flock is large enough. I usually have anywhere from 4 to 8 flocks with anywhere from pairs to 30 birds in each flock.

 

[lazy gardener]

I strongly advise against taking this cockerel for all of the reasons stated by above posters. A hand raised cockerel is going to have social issues, and is very likely to become a nasty tempered roo with entitlement issues. IMO, you need more than the minimum recommended space of 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird if adding a cockerel, or even if integrating. Your past experience has shown how difficult integration can be. I'd leave things as they stand for now.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That and roosters taste just like chicken.

 

[barn206]

I agree <grateful for this forum