OK, I'm new here, and accidently posted this in the wrong area, so here I go again. We bought some chickens as chicks, and about three or so months later we got a baby rooster we had been waiting for. Although he has now grown to about their size - and has a little ways to go - the hens are not very nice to him. They are kept seperate in the run, but get to free-run together during most days. He keeps to himself and runs away from them when they get near. Does anyone know whether he'll ever integrate with them to the point of being able to stay in the run with them, or even mate (our initial goal)? Thank you! Mamachick
You don't post how old he is but I say he is still too inmature for the pullets that are alittle older then him...trust me when he reaches his roosterhood he will let the hens know who is boss....I'd keep it the same way you have them for acouple more months til he reaches adult status or sexual status... Tuff
Thank you, I'll keep it up. He appears to want to be with them, but freaks out around them. A couple of them are especially viscious toward him. My husband calls the mother-hen "Atilla-the-Hen". I hope it works out!
Don't worry, he'll get to the top soon enough. I have had banties half the size of my adult hens rise over the girls that pecked on him and he became a father!!!
silkiechicken is so right about that. They run from the older hens at first, but later on, as they mature and gain confidence, the hens will be running from them, LOL.
Since you let them play together, it'll be easy - when he's ready he'll start going into their coop with them when it comes time. -Frank