Hens are going to kill my new rooster

[Choochstr]

I have an introduction problem. I have (18) 18 month old hens and am trying to add a 4 month old rooster. I got him from a flock of three where he was king of the coop.
Now, querintin is over. I introduced him at night. The next morning it was chaos. He won't defend himself. He only covers up in the corner. If he moves they pounce. I mean at least 5 hens at once. So I put him in a dog kennel inside the coop. He has been in there for a week. They still try to get to him through the cage. I let him out this morning and same thing.
He still seems very uncomfortable in the coop even alone. So I have begun a new phase. I am letting him have the coop to himself all day and back into the cage at night.
I am at a loss. I am sure the hens will kill him before he can mature enough to "take control". I am looking for ideas. I can't understand why he won't defend himself. Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

He is immature. The hens are mature and intimidate him. If he could he should run away but if he doesn’t do that he finds a corner and hides his head so they can’t attack that. They can still kill him even if they can’t get to his head. I get the feeling they are in a fairly small space and he can’t run away.

Many mature hens require a rooster to dance for them, find them food, offer flock protection, maintain order in his flock, and WOW! them with his magnificence and self-confidence. A cockerel that age can’t do that so the hens are not going to grant him any “favors”. And it’s pretty common for older hens to attack him and seriously try to beat him up. It’s as if they know what is coming so they get their licks in while they can. If you have plenty of room the cockerel should run away and stay away, but they are still social animals. He won’t want to go too far.

Your best bet is to house him separate from the hens for a while. He won’t like it but he will be OK. I’d suggest at least two more months before you try again. It may take a lot longer than that. Eventually he will mature enough to be able to take charge. I’ve had some that could do that at around six months age but I’ve also had one that took about eleven months of age to dominate the final hen.

 

[subhanalah]

Well, who wants to procreate with a "rooster" who runs and cowers because of some hens?
He's not ready yet so they won't accept him yet.

 

[DelcoChix]

Once he's grown up a bit more you might try to split/sub-divide your coop a bit and put him along with 2-3 of the meeker hens together...18-1 is a bit challenging for any new guy not to mention a youngster!

 

[Choochstr]

Thank you guys for all the great advice. It looks like the young guy will be on lockdown for a few months. I've got nowhere else to put him but in the kennel in the coop. And ridgerunner you were correct, my coop is 12'x8' with no run. My girls free range all day. But thanks again guys.

 

[Minifarmtn]

So, how is the rooster doing now? I'm in the same situation and my rooster won't defend himself. He is the same age as the hens, maybe it's a month older. We have had him 1 week and its getting a bit better but still not great.

 

[nayeli]

I would recommend putting him with the meeker hens! I personally like the sweeter roosters, but you don't want him getting hurt either.

 

[Choochstr]

Well, the rooster is still alive. I still have him in a dog cage in the coop. If I let him out (just inside the coop) same thing since the first day. He just runs and hides his head ASAP. Now, outside the coop, that's a different story. He is the stud he is supposed to be (until they gang up on him).lol Matter of fact, I was just up there today pondering if I could take the cage out. Not yet. He just has knobs where his spurs are coming in. When he gets his full spurs, cage is going bye bye. Even if they do take him out. He needs to man up sooner or later.lol He's huge, he'll make a nice dinner.lol

 

[nayeli]

@Choochstr maybe try letting him out of the coop with just one female! That way SHE can't gang up on him! Let him get some hopefully positive interaction.