Integrating a new Rooster?

[Ted Brown]

I will shortly pick up a Chantecler rooster, less than a year old. I already have 3 Chantecler as well as 13 other barnyard mix hens.

I also have a very good rooster, Copper Maran mix, that has been with the flock since the beginning. I will cull him before I get the new one.

I know I will need to take some time to segregate (bio security) then introduce and integrate but have no experience.

I have a large cage that I will use to segregate and a small dog cage that I hope to use inside the coop during the intro/integrate period.

Would very much appreciate any advice on how to go through this process successfully.

Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

No advice, but watching to learn.

 

[Tonyroo]

It's good if you can get actual age of the young rooster. It helps to determine how active his hormones are at the time.

You don't want him near your hens if he's peaking on his hormones. He will be quite violent and erratic. That statement is a generalization. So best to make observations to determine how he will be.

When you get him, consider doing a physical examination (head to toe), looking for parasites, lesions, injuries, or anything that raises suspicion. You don't want to introduce any oversight to your flock.

Quarantine should be 3 to 4 weeks, make daily observations. Doing this will be for your own peace of mind.

Just a suggestion.

 

[aart]

BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[aart]

I already have 3 Chantecler

What will you do with these?

 

[Ted Brown]

@Tonyroo thanks for the advice.

I can get his exact age but know he would have been hatched early Spring last year. He is from a very well known Chantecler breeder so expect he maintains a pristine environment, but I will isolate from the rest of the flock for 3-4 weeks. I should also be able to get good information regarding behavior.

I have been liasoning with the breeder for more than a year but he is very cautious re Covid so have not been able to pickup until now.

 

[Ted Brown]

What will you do with these?

They are year old hens, plan is to use their eggs to hatch another dozen+ Chanteclers this spring.

Thanks for the link!

 

[aart]

They are year old hens, plan is to use their eggs to hatch another dozen+ Chanteclers this spring.

Ohhh, not sure why I thought they were males.

 

[Ted Brown]

Today I picked up Sir Wilfred, my new Chantecler 11 month old cockerel. Seems to be a calm bird.

Breeder opined that his button comb was large, had good feet (by which he meant: fully formed and complete; strong yellow colour) . He is pleased that Wilfred will get 16 hens and keen at the blood line mix.

When asked about how to integrate he just put them together and let them sort it out (I will isolate for a month and have the flock without a rooster for the same month.)

 

[Anime2lover]

I will shortly pick up a Chantecler rooster, less than a year old. I already have 3 Chantecler as well as 13 other barnyard mix hens.

I also have a very good rooster, Copper Maran mix, that has been with the flock since the beginning. I will cull him before I get the new one.

I know I will need to take some time to segregate (bio security) then introduce and integrate but have no experience.

I have a large cage that I will use to segregate and a small dog cage that I hope to use inside the coop during the intro/integrate period.

Would very much appreciate any advice on how to go through this process successfully.

Thanks!

Why do you need to cull your roo? Roosters can indeed get along with each other.

As for integration. Quarantine first. Then set up an area where he and your flock can see each other through a fence. Keep it like that for a while, one week or more depending on how they react to each other. When you think their ready, let him with them for a short while with supervision, separating him at night. Do that until you are certain they have accepted him.

That's what we do here at least.