Getting older hens to accept young rooster.

[jaybud]

So I'm trying to get three older D'anver hens to accept a young D'anver rooster. The older hens where with a rooster before but he died from being sick. So I'm trying to replace the rooster but the hens ain't having it by fighting him. I have a mixed flock who free ranges so I'm familiar with integrating other chickens in and tactics to make it work. But for some reason these hens are just so stubborn and have ever since push my large fowl eggs layers around. I'm open to any suggestions, I'm struggling with this one.

 

[bobbi-j]

How long have you had him in with them? How old is your rooster? If he's under a year old, it may take a while for them to accept him. He is going to have to earn his place, too. They aren't just going to let some young punk come in and take over. Actually, it's not a bad thing if he's still a randy cockerel for them to teach him some manners. Give him some time to grow up and they'll likely work things out.

 

[jaybud]

How long have you had him in with them? How old is your rooster? If he's under a year old, it may take a while for them to accept him. He is going to have to earn his place, too. They aren't just going to let some young punk come in and take over. Actually, it's not a bad thing if he's still a randy cockerel for them to teach him some manners. Give him some time to grow up and they'll likely work things out. 

He is about 8 months old and the hens are a little over 1yr. I only left the hen in there for about 5 mins in fear of the fighting might mess him up. It's just weird, I have thrown older hens out to my younger stag rooster and he jumps right on them with his wing dance. Not the case with this breed I guess.

 

[bobbi-j]

He is about 8 months old and the hens are a little over 1yr. I only left the hen in there for about 5 mins in fear of the fighting might mess him up. It's just weird, I have thrown older hens out to my younger stag rooster and he jumps right on them with his wing dance. Not the case with this breed I guess.

But the other one isn't a stranger to them, is he? And how old is that one? Your young cockerel needs a chance to grow up a little and earn the respect of those old ladies. Chickens aren't little feathered humans, I realize, but this is kind of like trying to get a teenager to keep a bunch of middle aged women in line. Ain't gonna happen! (The analogy ends there, because it just gets creepy after that...) Once he's matured, he should have no problems with them. If there was no blood being drawn, and he wasn't being mercilessly pinned to the ground, I'd let them work things out.

 

[aart]

kind of like trying to get a teenager to keep a bunch of middle aged women in line. Ain't gonna happen! (The analogy ends there, because it just gets creepy after that...)