How long before my girls will accept new roo?

[Mrs. K]

We do not think you are dumb. A lot of people come here without much experience, and confusion. When we are depending on just written words, it can be confusing to all of us. Each of us comes with different experiences based on our own set ups. Every question we automatically consider it in our own coop/run. This can cause major misunderstandings.

I think you have probably read somewhere, that adding a rooster is pretty darn easy. And it is. Many a time, I have just put him in the coop/run, and they were all in love by morning. Other times, there was no damage, but the rooster roosted on a lower roost, for a week or two. Once when I was first starting out, I was going to keep the rooster in a cage for look don't see, and I must have not had it latched tightly. Cause I went to the house to get something and when I got back, he was out, and loving on the girls, who seemed like they were giggling.

What we are saying in this post, is that there is considerable difference between a 4 month old cockerel and a 7 month one.

And that being raised together has very little influence on fowl, so that the mixed flock that is working now, may not later. It might work just fine, but it might not.

Mrs K

 

[CalliBee]

Hello again everyone,
Slight update on everything

Today I had my 6 yr old son go to the coop and let out the flock to free range and when I came down behind him shortly, he had went into the garage and let the cockerel (named Bert) out without me knowing. Eek

I go to search for him and sure enough there he is roaming around with the ladies (and ducks). So much for that quarantine! Fingers crossed

I sat by and watched for a while to see how they interacted and I was impressed to see how polite he is being(so far). There were a couple of pecking order spats but nothing turned too aggressive and my Drake stepped in to separate anything he didn’t approve of, which Bert abided by. And has 2 ladies that’s been hanging around him since I’ve started watching. My most proudest moment was when he heard something suspicious (a bird chirp) and the flock ran for cover!

I understand he’s still young and things could change but I am super surprised at how quickly they accepted him seeming that they’ve never met. I’m assuming they could hear one another as he is talkative, obviously. I’ll let him hang around for a little while longer under supervision and have to introduce him to the coop but I’m pleased so far. I’m hoping he continues being respectful to the ladies and all can live in harmony but I know only time will tell.

 

[aart]

he’s still young

How young?

 

[CalliBee]

How young?

17 weeks