Getting a rooster sooner than planned. Help

[hoosierhens101]

I was planning on getting a rooster later this summer but I could not turn down this beautiful 1 year old lavender orpington rooster. He is very friendly and needed a home. I only have 2 adults hens (a 1 year old and a 2 year old) right now. I have 9 chicks order but they don't arrive until April 26th. What should I do? Will he be all right with my 2 adult hens until the rest of the girls mature? How do I introduce him to my two hens? I have a small coop and secure pen for night time and a large 100' x 25' enclosed area for the daytime.

 

[Redhead Rae]

At 1 year, he should be past the bulk of his teenage hormones. I would keep an eye out for signs that he is over breeding the girls (ragged feathers) and make sure he doesn't hurt them. What I would do is build a small enclosure for him inside the girls enclosure. 5X5 should be big enough for one rooster. I make small 5x5x2 runs out of PVC pipe, which would work well. You can either build a small predator proof box for inside that enclosure for him to sleep in, or you can let him sleep with the girls, put him in his run during the day (while you aren't around to keep an eye on him) and let him out with the girls for an hour or two in the afternoon.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd introduce him to your two hens (after quarantine) and see how it goes. 8-12 hens per rooster is a rule of thumb. I've seen roosters that were good with far fewer--and I've kept breeding pairs without a problem.

Just keep an eye on the situation and if he's being a pain, isolate him. One thing some people do is keep them in a pen inside the coop, that way you're not continually messing with the flock pecking order.

EDT: x2, Redhead Rae. Didn't see you.

 

[hoosierhens101]

At 1 year, he should be past the bulk of his teenage hormones. I would keep an eye out for signs that he is over breeding the girls (ragged feathers) and make sure he doesn't hurt them. What I would do is build a small enclosure for him inside the girls enclosure. 5X5 should be big enough for one rooster. I make small 5x5x2 runs out of PVC pipe, which would work well. You can either build a small predator proof box for inside that enclosure for him to sleep in, or you can let him sleep with the girls, put him in his run during the day (while you aren't around to keep an eye on him) and let him out with the girls for an hour or two in the afternoon.

Great idea. Thanks. Isn't he handsome!! Too gorgeous for the freezer

 

[Peeps61]

Great idea. Thanks. Isn't he handsome!! Too gorgeous for the freezer

He is very pretty. I think he'll do fine with two hens until the others grow up. The OP's above have given great advice! Follow proper quarantine and integration procedures and keep an eye on the hens for over mating. Other than that, I think they'll all be happy when things settle down.

 

[chickens really]

Good Roosters don't bother immature Hens till of laying age. Just watch he doesn't over breed the older Hens. Change things if needed. Best of luck..

 

[micstrachan]

He’s gorgeous! No rooster experience here, but in your shoes, I think I would keep a very close watch on thingsand adjust if needed.