How long before my girls will accept new roo?

[CalliBee]

Hi everyone,

I’ve searched for the answer high and low but can’t seem to find what I’m looking for.

On average, how long does it take for a flock of hens to accept a rooster? I know for chickens meeting chickens it can take 2 or so weeks. But is introducing a male any different? I’m assuming they would warm up quicker since he’s a roo and all but maybe it’s all the same? Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

There is no set answer. They may accept him in a few weeks or they may never.

How are you trying to integrate it them?

 

[CalliBee]

There is no set answer. They may accept him in a few weeks or they may never.

How are you trying to integrate it them?

He’s in quarantine right now but when he comes out he’ll be in a dog crate in the coop at night, and during the day sectioned off in his own part of the run.

Don’t tell me never! I’ve had to introduce hens in the past together and I’ve been lucky with only a week or so before everyone gets along. Was really hoping with a rooster it wouldn’t take as long, guess we can’t get all that we wished for

 

[SourRoses]

Really you have to ask the girls. They have preferences too - namely, a male who is a good provider.
Boys who find lots of good treats very often are what hens want.
Boys who eat the treats, and/or lie about having found something so he can jump the girls (as many immature roos do), are not preferred. The girls will stop believing his treat calls and spend their time away from him.

What you can do, though, is encourage him to be the best male he can be.
Leave him penned up in sight as long as it takes to see his good behavior. Loneliness makes the rooster nicer.
When he's tidbitting at items in his space and not eating it while waiting for a girl to come, you know he's lovesick enough to be nice.
When at least one hen really wants to get in with him for more than a few minutes over a snack, you know he has female approval, and you can let him out.

We had a mature roo sectioned off in anticipation of rehoming, and at first the girls paid him no mind, but after a long courtship one of the (free ranging) girls took to laying on the other side of the fence next to him much of the day. I felt bad for her when we gave him the boot, but she got over him quickly. Because, you know, yummies to find further afield.

 

[aart]

If all birds are adults, it shouldn't take long at all....if the male is a good one.

 

[CalliBee]

If all birds are adults, it shouldn't take long at all....if the male is a good one.

They are all about the same age, 3-4 months. I purchased 12 pullets last march but one ended up being a cockerel. I fell in love but unfortunately something snuck off with him in the middle of the night. I purchased another one off a local Facebook page looking to re home theirs. He’s roughly the same age, he’s smaller than the others but can hold his own, and is use to ducks, and super nice to humans. He checked off all my boxes and so far has lived up to his previous owners promises.

 

[CalliBee]

What you can do, though, is encourage him to be the best male he can be.
Leave him penned up in sight as long as it takes to see his good behavior. Loneliness makes the rooster nicer.
When he's tidbitting at items in his space and not eating it while waiting for a girl to come, you know he's lovesick enough to be nice.
When at least one hen really wants to get in with him for more than a few minutes over a snack, you know he has female approval, and you can let him out.

Hmm I did not know this. It’s my first time owning a roo (besides my other one but he was just a few months old before he got snatched). Do you have any video examples of what I should look for? This one is also only 3-4 months old so not sure if he’s old enough to tidbit

 

[aart]

They are all about the same age, 3-4 months. I purchased 12 pullets last march but one ended up being a cockerel. I fell in love but unfortunately something snuck off with him in the middle of the night. I purchased another one off a local Facebook page looking to re home theirs. He’s roughly the same age, he’s smaller than the others but can hold his own, and is use to ducks, and super nice to humans. He checked off all my boxes and so far has lived up to his previous owners promises.

So you have immature birds, pullets and a cockerel.
Much different scenario than having hens and a rooster.
The cockerel is just starting his hormonal flow, the pullets won't be ready for that for another 2-3 months....it's one of the most difficult times in chickeneering and could get ugly.
You may have to keep the cockerel separated until the pullets are laying.
Only time will tell, he may be fine, but be ready for it.


FYI-PSA.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[Folly's place]

Agree with @aart . Next spring or summer would have been a better time for this, when your pullets are mature.
But, here you are. So, fence him in the coop so he's there, but separate, for at least a week. Then, see how it goes, giving them lots of space, at least two feeders and waterers, and out of sight areas. You have idiot adolescents, nobody is mature, so be watchful, because there might be sparring and difficulties, but you don't want any actual injuries.
Mary

 

[JedJackson]

At that age two things can happen. One is what Aart described. The other is the possibility that the pullets won't accept him and will gang up on him. If that happens it's sometimes irreversible and you'll never get fertile eggs. So watch and be prepared.