Chicks and roosters

[Farmer Mush]

Just wondered how soon to introduce 7-month old rooster to new chicks? We have had chickens over ten years but never had opportunity to get rooster before they matured a bit.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

First off, welcome to BYC! How old are the chicks you want to introduce to your rooster?

 

[Farmer Mush]

First off, welcome to BYC! How old are the chicks you want to introduce to your rooster?

We are getting our baby girls late next month. We are starting over as we lost all of ours.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

We are getting our baby girls late next month. We are starting over as we lost all of ours.

Their age. How old will they be?

 

[Farmer Mush]

We are getting our baby girls late next month. We are starting over as we lost all of ours.

Thanks for the welcome, haven’t been on here for awhile.

 

[Farmer Mush]

Their age. How old will they be?

Well, I’m not sure how old they are from the store but I’m thinking 2-4 weeks

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Well, I’m not sure how old they are from the store but I’m thinking 2-4 weeks

Do you have a coop you want to introduce them in? Or do your chickens free-range all day?

 

[Farmer Mush]

Do you have a coop you want to introduce them in? Or do your chickens free-range all day?

Do you have a coop you want to introduce them in? Or do your chickens free-range all day?

They will be free range once they are grown but they will stay in the coop u til then

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's hard to answer. Partly because I've never done exactly that but more that the cockerel is at that certain age. I don't know if he is going to act like an immature cockerel or act like a mature rooster. There can be quite a bit of difference in how they act.

Well, I’m not sure how old they are from the store but I’m thinking 2-4 weeks

From most feed stores they will be straight from the hatchery so just a very few days old. You can ask to be more sure.

I assume you have integrated chicks before. I'd try it the same way if it worked. If he is acting like a mature rooster there is a chance he will help take care of them. On rare occasions one may go so far as to act like a broody hen and really take care of them but usually it's more that he just sort of watches over them. A mature rooster should not harm them. If he acts like an immature cockerel he might be dangerous. At that age it could go either way.

So try it when you can observe. Let what you see determine what you do.

Good luck!

 

[Farmer Mush]

That's hard to answer. Partly because I've never done exactly that but more that the cockerel is at that certain age. I don't know if he is going to act like an immature cockerel or act like a mature rooster. There can be quite a bit of difference in how they act.



From most feed stores they will be straight from the hatchery so just a very few days old. You can ask to be more sure.

I assume you have integrated chicks before. I'd try it the same way if it worked. If he is acting like a mature rooster there is a chance he will help take care of them. On rare occasions one may go so far as to act like a broody hen and really take care of them but usually it's more that he just sort of watches over them. A mature rooster should not harm them. If he acts like an immature cockerel he might be dangerous. At that age it could go either way.

So try it when you can observe. Let what you see determine what you do.

Good luck!

Awe, thanks so much for all your help. Baby steps me thinks. You gave me a lot to think about.