can I just add another chicken to the flock?

[chickensss]

so my rooster has been very aggressive, he flies up and attacks some people, and is constantly ramming into me and tries to bite my leg and or shoe. by now, we are thinking of getting rid of him because we can't have an aggressive animal on our property, considering that there is a business on the property. any who, my point. can I just add a new rooster, as in replacing the other one, or will my 7 other hens attack him or something? I don't want any accidents, or fights, etc.

 

[jennnie13]

We had year old production reds with no rooster. I wanted a rooster, the guy at the feed store had too many, so I came home with a full grown rooster(very large, easily twice the size of the hens). They never bothered him. They fell right into their roles, and they listen when he calls. I'm no expert Brewster might be the exception. I'm still learning.

 

[Monguire]

Smart-money would be on a more gentle introduction. Allowing them to see each other without physically touching (a dog crate, or fenced-off section of coop/run) for a few days (minimally) before letting them roam together would go a long way towards mitigating the risk. Additionally, space is another key factor. If they are all cooped up in close proximity most/all of the day, that it a recipe for bad behavior to start. While safe free-ranging is ideal, even a large-enough secured run would give ample space to run away/seek shelter from any bullying.

That said, I'd feel less worried about introducing a rooster (a cockerel might be more problematic) to an existing flock of hens assuming they are all of similar age. I'd feel horrible for any rooster introduced to a troupe of war-hardened, gnarly ol' battleaxe hens. That poor boy would likely get beat up one side of the coop and down the other by the ol' gals.

Observation would be key. Maybe only allow physical interaction when you are there to observe/referee until such time as you are confident the rooster is establishing his authority without brutalizing the hens. And of course to ensure that the ol' lasses aren't hen-pecking/harassing the new upstart overmuch.