Integrating a new rooster

[Blue Legs]

On Tuesday I received a new rooster for my flock from a commercial source. It is the only new bird, about 6 months of age and currently the only rooster. He is physically larger than the hens already, of which there are 8. They have been without a boy for about a week now. First night, I kept him to himself and then the next morning I turned him loose with the girls. I think the experience was too much for him as he was just hiding, and after I few hours I chased him down and put him back in the tractor. While free he interacted with the girls very gently, some were more curious than others but none were aggressive.
For the next few days, I kept him to himself in a chicken tractor I have empty with food, water and a tote, which he spent all his time hiding under unless forced out. During this time I treated him for mites, and made sure to handle him every day so he starts getting used to me (my last roosters would allow me to pick them up with our a fight).
Last night (night 4) before dark, I put him in the run attached to the coop where the girls sleep so they could mingle before bed. After dark, as he decided to be a loner and sleep outside in the run, I grabbed him and stuck him in the coop with the girls.
This morning when I came to let the girls out (they free range dawnish to duskish) they were all happily milling about waiting for me. I let the girls out and kept the boy inside, based on his last reaction to wide open spaces and my lack of desire to chase him around. He ran back inside the coop, he doesn't like me yet.
Any suggestions on things I may be doing wrong or things I could do differently? I'd love this guy to get his rooster on, and I am happy to be patient. I just am unsure if this is standard, I kind of assumed he would just start being top dog instantly

 

[spartacus_63]

He is young and shy. He is a chicken after all. Some boys are intimidated by older girls. In a few months he will be the cock of the walk.

 

[Blue Legs]

He is young and shy. He is a chicken after all. Some boys are intimidated by older girls. In a few months he will be the cock of the walk.

He is indeed a chicken hahahaha well said

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am happy to be patient. I just am unsure if this is standard, I kind of assumed he would just start being top dog instantly

Then be patient. It's not about size but maturity. Until he matures enough to take over he'll be intimidated by those more mature hens. That behavior is pretty normal in my flock though the cockerels don't get hurt. Mine have enough room to run away and get away if they need to. Usually they just stay away from the hens.

When will he mature enough? Good question, I don't know. I've had cockerels 5 months old manage that, I've had a cockerel wait until he was 11 months old. Most manage around 7 months but it can really vary. The hens have a lot to say about that too, some are more accepting than others.

As long as no one is getting hurt I'd just let them go. Have an extra food and water station well spread out so he can eat and drink in peace. Be prepared to separate them if you need to, you never know what will happen. With mine when he matures enough it is usually a very peaceful transfer of power. Usually. But one time the dominant hen refused to accept his dominance and it go pretty violent between them for a couple of days before she gave up. They then became best buddies. There was no blood so I let them go but I was prepared to separate if I needed to. You never know how these things will go.

I haven't had a big problem with this but some people do. The cockerel can be injured by a hen or hens can be injured by the cockerel. You have to pay attention to any integration. There is always risk.

Good luck!

 

[Blue Legs]

Patience shall be the plan. I have a feeling this guy had no idea wide open spaces existed and that may be more scary than the new hens for him

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, I would just put him in with the hens, and keep putting him back in the coop at night. I added an older rooster, and nearly fell on him, as he was on the floor of the coop that night. In a week he was up on the roost being adored.

 

[aart]

On Tuesday I received a new rooster for my flock from a commercial source. It is the only new bird, about 6 months of age and currently the only rooster.

Curious about the "commercial" source?

 

[Blue Legs]

So, last night a few hours before dusk I brought the girls in early and out the new rooster in the run with them. He slept with them, was our in the run with them, and when I set the girls out for the day he stayed inside hiding. One step at a time