Integrating a hen + rooster pair to new flock

[Bonnie G]

Hi everyone!

I know it’s been discussed before, but just looking for some advice for integrating a pair into my flock.

I have a pair of Mosaics who are about 18 weeks. Turns out, one is a rooster and one hen. The little rooster is starting to crow, no eggs from the hen yet but I’m sure it’ll come with some time, it’s still pretty early.

Ever since I got them at 5 weeks, they have been in the coop but separated from my flock (1 rooster and 4 hens). I was hoping to keep them separated until I get my 12 ready to lays at the end of June.

It’s time that they get out of their enclosure. The hen seems to be afraid of the rooster (not sure if she’s just generally scared, they both seem quite skiddish). But I think they’re outgrowing their enclosure.

My worry is that this will be 2 roosters to 5 hens… soon it won’t be a problem, but for the next 6 weeks it likely will be. The flock established roo is pretty aggressive and the mosaic seems to want to fight.

I’ve had success integrating at night time in the past, but that was just the rooster to the hens.

In your experience, what should I do? Should I separate the pair and only integrate the hen, or should I integrate both of them and hope for the best?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[My Bagurks]

Whenever I integrated, I partitioned my coop and run with chicken wire or garden fencing or something of that nature. Even a 2x4 at each end of a length of chicken wire or two. Like a giant scroll to make a separate area.

I overbuilt my coop so I had an easier time doing it like this. I have two entrances to the coop, so I fenced in one door and separated the coop by chicken wire. So the two groups slept together and had run space together, but were kept separate.

Now the two Roos to five hens isn’t recommended. BUT the age difference can help you out. If you are adding a lot more hens to your flock, in the near future, then the timing might just work out. You have one mature mating rooster already, so he will be the alpha. If your younger rooster hasn’t hit maturity all the way, then he definitely won’t try and fight your alpha. And the alpha MIGHT not see him as a threat to his status right off the bat. So if you introduce them very slowly and they can have an idea of the pecking order before they have the opportunity to fight, it could go off without a hitch. But be prepared for things to go wrong.
I would introduce them together and see how things go. If you Have obvious issues with one or the other, separate it and wait for the bigger flock.

I will say that I’ve had 6 roosters with 25 hens and I didn’t have issues. And all 6 were full grown and of mating age. Things just worked out somehow. Now that eventually changed with selling some birds, predators, and a traumatic dog experience. But I currently have 3 roosters and 19 hens and it’s very peaceful.

 

[aart]

The hen seems to be afraid of the rooster (not sure if she’s just generally scared, they both seem quite skiddish).

He's probably mating her and she's not ready.

My worry is that this will be 2 roosters to 5 hens… soon it won’t be a problem, but for the next 6 weeks it likely will be. The flock established roo is pretty aggressive and the mosaic seems to want to fight.

What is your long range plan for having multiple males?
It often doesn't work out well.
How big is your coop and run?

 

[Bonnie G]

Whenever I integrated, I partitioned my coop and run with chicken wire or garden fencing or something of that nature. Even a 2x4 at each end of a length of chicken wire or two. Like a giant scroll to make a separate area.

I overbuilt my coop so I had an easier time doing it like this. I have two entrances to the coop, so I fenced in one door and separated the coop by chicken wire. So the two groups slept together and had run space together, but were kept separate.

Now the two Roos to five hens isn’t recommended. BUT the age difference can help you out. If you are adding a lot more hens to your flock, in the near future, then the timing might just work out. You have one mature mating rooster already, so he will be the alpha. If your younger rooster hasn’t hit maturity all the way, then he definitely won’t try and fight your alpha. And the alpha MIGHT not see him as a threat to his status right off the bat. So if you introduce them very slowly and they can have an idea of the pecking order before they have the opportunity to fight, it could go off without a hitch. But be prepared for things to go wrong.
I would introduce them together and see how things go. If you Have obvious issues with one or the other, separate it and wait for the bigger flock.

I will say that I’ve had 6 roosters with 25 hens and I didn’t have issues. And all 6 were full grown and of mating age. Things just worked out somehow. Now that eventually changed with selling some birds, predators, and a traumatic dog experience. But I currently have 3 roosters and 19 hens and it’s very peaceful.

Thank you for your help! Currently their little “coop in the coop” is separated with chicken wire. I can attach a photo. It’s been like this since mid February so I think they’ve had a chance to get to know eachother. I really like your idea of the scroll, seems simple to make and might come in handy if things go downhill! I’ve got a pretty big coop, but a second door sure would be nice. Maybe I’ll have to do a bit of a redesign!

That’s a very good point, I didn’t think about the age difference. I figured the older male would be definitely the alpha. I was really hoping that they would be okay in there until my other hens came, but it doesn’t look like that’s the case. I’ll try a night time introduction and watch as everything unfolds the next morning. And if things go south, I’ve got the scroll idea to section off the coop and give them more space. Or if it doesn’t work out for 1 of them, I’ll separate them back to where they started.

Thank you for sharing all your experience! I’m glad to hear it’s worked out for you, it’s funny how quickly they establish a pecking order and go about their daily business. The predators and a traumatic dog experience sounds horrible don’t have any dogs but definitely have my fair share of predators out here.

I’ll keep you posted how it goes. I’m off Monday so I think I’ll do the merge Sunday night. Hopefully they’ll be okay for a couple more days!

 

[Bonnie G]

He's probably mating her and she's not ready.


What is your long range plan for having multiple males?
It often doesn't work out well.
How big is your coop and run?

That would make sense. He seems to be getting to that age.

I’m planning on adding lots more hens. Right now it’s not ideal, I didn’t realize I got a hen and rooster pair since they were so young. I’ve got 12 grown hens coming shortly. That puts my ratio to 2 roos:18 hens. I thought a 1:10 was a good ratio to aim for.

I’ve got a large coop, it’s over 250sq ft. They free range on 1-2 acres every day, they can go further but they stick pretty close to home. They are only really in the coop to sleep and lay their eggs and they’re back out.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just for clarity, have the pair been outside at all? Or are they confined to that separation area 24/7?

I think I would try letting them outside together, in a free range situation.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I’ve got a large coop, it’s over 250sq ft.

Just the coop is taht big?!

That puts my ratio to 2 roos:18 hens. I thought a 1:10 was a good ratio to aim for.

If fertility is your main goal.
But multiple males can create an environment of competition,
which can amplify their testosterone fueled behaviors,
often not a pretty picture.
It can work, but be ready to separate one of them if things get ugly.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[Bonnie G]

Just the coop is taht big?!


If fertility is your main goal.
But multiple males can create an environment of competition,
which can amplify their testosterone fueled behaviors,
often not a pretty picture.
It can work, but be ready to separate one of them if things get ugly.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

Yep! The coop is quite the palace for my few birds. My grandpa built it and had 100 chickens in there, but I’m still just starting out! Now their current enclosure is quite a bit smaller, I forget the measurements. I’m on a farm so I’ve got quite a bit of room.

That is very good to know! Thank you for the clarification I had assumed that the 10 hens was enough to keep the rooster occupied and could protect them. I didn’t really think about how the testosterone would be amped up. I’ll give it a shot and see if things work out, but if it does get ugly I’ll be sure to separate and come up with a backup plan.

Hopefully it’ll all work out, this sure means definitely no more roosters for quite a while!