Integrating a new Rooster?

[Ted Brown]

"Isolate".....like quarantine or within sight of flock?

Discussion was about disease/critter bio security, within sight not addressed.

I am thinking about this more: could put Wilfred in the coop inside a small cage for week after isolation?

 

[Kiki]

I have the original White Chantecler. They are large Fowl, the 1st original breed from Canada. Bred by a Trappist monk in Oka Quebec over a ~10 year period up until 1917, admitted to the APA in 1921. Bred to thrive in our winters.

The Buff Chantecler came later in the 80s, not yet(?) admitted.

This is my boy with a chicken friend for her initial inspection. Sir Wilfred will replace a Black Copper Maran mix that attacked her at least a couple of times; after 10 minutes Lindsay said "such a good boy" as you can see the breed is known for friendly calm demeanor.

https://www.bantamclub.com/recognized-breed-and-variety

 

[Geena]

I am thinking about this more: could put Wilfred in the coop inside a small cage for week after isolation?

After quarantine, I'd just put him right in with the girls. That's how I always introduce cockerels and have never had a problem. Adding pullets/hens can cause an uproar, adding an only boy, easy peasy.

 

[aart]

Discussion was about disease/critter bio security, within sight not addressed.

True quarantine would not include 'within sight' for sure.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[Kiki]

True quarantine would not include 'within sight' for sure.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

And if you're not going to properly quarantine then it defeats the purpose of even quarantining to begin with so you might as well just put him right in.

 

[Ted Brown]

Sir Wilfred will be in a cage of 8' by 4' by 4'; the cage will be inside my garage; 3 weeks (21 days) in this circumstance.

Followed by:

1 week (7 days) inside a 3' by 3' by 3' animal cage inside the coop. Close pop door at 1pm with all hens outside; open cage for rooster feed/water/roam ~3 hours each day for a week. Release to flock per observations.

Comment please.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If there are no other cockerels or cocks in the flock then I'd not bother with any integration. He'll be large enough not to get beat up by the hens and in turn they will discipline/train him to be a good boy. Hens are excellent trainers of cockerels and make them work for position of head of flock. By nature he must dance and find food to make the hens accept him. Only problems that arise is if a boy is too large and untrained with hormones racing they will force themselves on the girls. I find that forced mating never really ends. The hens just don't want to submit and be receptive. Leads to worn backs and pulled hackle feathers.

 

[Ted Brown]

@Egghead_Jr Wilfred is smaller than my current to be culled rooster. Also is much calmer.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Sounds perfect. The girls will keep him the outsider that he is and he'll have to earn his place. You may have to physically put him in the coop at night for about a week or a separate cage nights until they let him in the coop. I enjoy watching a cockerel learn to fit in. They will chase him off and he'll respect them, in turn he'll treat them well as he takes on the role of flock master.

 

[Ted Brown]

Sounds perfect. The girls will keep him the outsider that he is and he'll have to earn his place. You may have to physically put him in the coop at night for about a week or a separate cage nights until they let him in the coop. I enjoy watching a cockerel learn to fit in. They will chase him off and he'll respect them, in turn he'll treat them well as he takes on the role of flock master.

If that were all to happen I would be very pleased.