Can I put them with the rooster?

[ChickQueen77]

right now I have a Barred Rock cockerel in with 12 hens and all the hens are too old to lay so I am going to get rid of them in the spring. I am going to replace them with pullets and when I get them the pullets will be about 1.5-2 months old. I have a spot in the coop where I can put a bird so it can see them through the wire but they aren't together. would it be best to put the rooster in the small part until they grow up more or can he be with the pullets?

 

[kattabelly]

First of all, is he a cockerel or a rooster?

 

[CheekyChook13]

I would probably try putting him with them for a short period and see how he behaves, if he behaves poorly then separate him, some cockerels can be nice and understanding and others are jerks, I usually keep mine together if they behave but I have an older rooster who keeps everyone in check

 

[ChickQueen77]

First of all, is he a cockerel or a rooster?

He is a cockerel now but by the time I get he will probably be a cock but i don't know for sure when i am getting the pullets.
He was hatched Easter 2025

 

[ChickQueen77]

I would probably try putting him with them for a short period and see how he behaves, if he behaves poorly then separate him, some cockerels can be nice and understanding and others are jerks, I usually keep mine together if they behave but I have an older rooster who keeps everyone in check

ok I will try that then.

he has never roughed up any of the hens he is with now but I don't know how he would act toward younger pullets.

I got him for free because the person I got him from had too many roosters so he would get eaten if I didn't take him. I don't know for sure if it was him or the other roosters but the pullets that were in with him before I got him were getting beat up.

 

[CheekyChook13]

ok I will try that then.

he has never roughed up any of the hens he is with now but I don't know how he would act toward younger pullets.

I got him for free because the person I got him from had too many roosters so he would get eaten if I didn't take him. I don't know for sure if it was him or the other roosters but the pullets that were in with him before I got him were getting beat up.

Hopefully he is nice

 

[Altairsky]

Keep 2 old hens until the pullets are of laying age so the rooster has something to do.
You can get rid of the last 2 hens when the pullets will be of laying age, if you really want to get rid of them. Old hens tend to have an important role in a flock so I prefer to always have a couple grannies around.