Integrating a cockerel into a flock of mature hens

[Leahs Mom]

Remind me of how many girls you would have left if these were gone.

 

[Leahs Mom]

PS: The ones I kept too long were the best layers too.

Maybe it's the hormone thing.... better layers mean stronger hormones? Like having pms every day.

 

[islandgirl82]

I'd be down to 7 as I just lost one unexpectedly. She was the first to be denied access to the roosting bar and took to the nest boxes. She was active and alert, eating well, getting plenty of water and her plumage was filling back in nicely but yesterday morning when I went to let everyone out, she had passed sometime in the night.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I would think that 7 would be enough for him. But, of course, he'll have to wait until molt is done for them to want him around....

Sorry to hear about the one you lost. Makes you wonder if it was the stress of the situation?

 

[islandgirl82]

Re: to P.S. Maybe, although some of best layers have also been some of my kindest.

 

[islandgirl82]

Thank you. I'm inclined to think it was more stress related than anything...being displaced as she was.

I would hope, given he's still young that 7 would be enough and then I'll have room in the coop to keep more Dom pullets we hatch out in the spring.

 

[Leahs Mom]

My first roo had a total of 9 girls originally. 6 of them were older girls and 3 were his hatch-mates. It seemed that was more than enough.

 

[islandgirl82]

My first rooster had just three girls and they were all happy. He, like Ichabod was just a cockerel when I got him and the girls were all at least 2 years old before he joined so they didn't put up with any unwanted behavior from him.

 

[aart]

Thank you. I'm inclined to think it was more stress related than anything...being displaced as she was.

I would hope, given he's still young that 7 would be enough and then I'll have room in the coop to keep more Dom pullets we hatch out in the spring.

...or she could have been displaced because she was ill?

I'd wait for chicks in spring. If he's as good as we think/hope, he should be fine with the 7.

 

[islandgirl82]

Possibly due to illness but her behavior hadn't changed at all. She was still very interactive within the flock during the days but chose to sleep in the box at night and that only started when she began molting.

I think you're right...although I'm tempted to pick up two or three 16 week old Dominique show stock pullets I've found. I'll think on it for a few days before making the decision but does that mean you'd be culling the bullies? Maybe I should put them in a trial isolation so I can continue to get eggs and allow the rest of the flock to settle. I worry that still having them here but not with Ichabod will only agitate him and cause everyone unnecessary stress but I'm certainly not going to take him out of the main flock to keep with them.

I held Ichabod for quite a while today. There's been no change in his acceptance of it even though I hadn't handled him in ages. I did learn that the pup does NOT like it when I'm in the run and she isn't. I left her out not knowing how she'd react to me handling them as I've seen some dogs not give chickens a second glance until they see a person handling them and then end up with extreme interest in them so I wanted her to observe first for their sake. She paced and tried to paw her way in which was unsettling for the whole flock but despite her behavior, Ichabod remained calm whilst keeping his eye on her as I held him. We came across an unknown (to her) free range flock yesterday as we walked back to our car after an off-leash hike and even as they ran away when they saw her, she sat right where she was and watched them go without anything more than a quiet, preemptive "leave it" from me. She's very eager to please so I have no doubt we'll be able to get to the point when I can handle them without having to keep her separated.