How to manage young hens and rooster?

[whitenack]

This is our first year with chickens and we are learning a bunch of stuff.

We have just learned that roosters mature faster than hens and that a mature rooster is a problem for young hens. He is ready to mate and the hens aren't, so we are going to either have to separate him from the hens or harvest him and get a new rooster next year.

However, we would like to add some chicks next year, which will put us back in the same situation (young hens). So how do you guys handle having young hens with a mature/maturing rooster? Do you just get rid of your current rooster whenever you purchase new chicks?

 

[sourland]

I would separate him from the pullets until they mature and then reintroduce him. Mature roosters generally do not pursue pullets until they mature. Cockerels will try to mate a rock - think 'teen aged' boys.

 

[Mrs. K]

Personally, I like a rooster that is raised with older hens. So I would be in favor of raising up chicks in the flock next year, and letting this one go.

Roosters are crap shoot, but sometimes you do get lucky. So separating him, waiting an seeing is not a bad idea. I would not add him back until the pullets are laying. If he works out, then good, if not, let him go out of the flock.

Often times getting a good rooster from someone else is not that hard. Often times there are roosters that are so nice, they don't get culled, if you find one raised in a multi-generational flock, perfect.

Next year, the older birds would thump some manners into him, but he is apt to be a bit much for the pullets. Have a lot of hide outs in the set up. Have a lot of space.

If you cannot cull birds, do not go down the rooster road.

Mrs K

 

[whitenack]

Thanks for the replies and info.

Our hens (and rooster) are 17 weeks old, so they should be laying in a few more weeks. It won't be a big problem to separate them for that period of time.

 

[aart]

Our hens (and rooster) are 17 weeks old

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.

 

[whitenack]

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.

Ah, right. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[bhawk-23]

Personally, I like a rooster that is raised with older hens. So I would be in favor of raising up chicks in the flock next year, and letting this one go.

Roosters are crap shoot, but sometimes you do get lucky. So separating him, waiting an seeing is not a bad idea. I would not add him back until the pullets are laying. If he works out, then good, if not, let him go out of the flock.

Often times getting a good rooster from someone else is not that hard. Often times there are roosters that are so nice, they don't get culled, if you find one raised in a multi-generational flock, perfect.

Next year, the older birds would thump some manners into him, but he is apt to be a bit much for the pullets. Have a lot of hide outs in the set up. Have a lot of space.

If you cannot cull birds, do not go down the rooster road.

Mrs K

Ok, so we have eight 10 month old pullets, two 12 week pullets and a 12 week cockerel who are all together. The three 12 week olds stick together and surely get many reminders where they stand if going near the ladies. I am a bit worried they are out casts and I am more worried he will soon prefer his two hatchmate pullets and possibly hurt them when he matures. I hear they can over mate a favorite hen.
But then you said you prefer a rooster being raised with the hens who are ready and willing to thump him, which these older girls are most definitely excelling at. Would you have any thoughts or advice on this situation? Will the older ones teach him enough manners that the younger girls should be ok? Anything I should be looking out for? Thanks so much!!

 

[aart]

Will the older ones teach him enough manners that the younger girls should be ok?
Anything I should be looking out for?

Maybe, maybe not.

Watch for the cockerel to be harassing the younger pullets.
He may try to mount them and then leave them alone when they refuse to submit.
If he chases them down relentlessly, grabbing their necks, pinning them down, and trying to mount then you may have to remove him.

It really depends on the cockerel. Some are smarter, some are idiots.

 

[bhawk-23]

Maybe, maybe not.

Watch for the cockerel to be harassing the younger pullets.
He may try to mount them and then leave them alone when they refuse to submit.
If he chases them down relentlessly, grabbing their necks, pinning them down, and trying to mount then you may have to remove him.

It really depends on the cockerel. Some are smarter, some are idiots.

Sounds vaguely familiar....maybe teenage boys? Nah, that certainly is not it.......hhmmmm...