Integrating a single 6 week old cockerel to six 4 week old pullets

[ashleymroles]

I bought my girls just over four weeks ago and they've been together in the brooder since. I recently adopted adopted a six week old cockerel for protection when the girls go outside. He's extremely calm, though noticeably bigger than the girls. I'm quarantining him for now, but will I have to go through all the steps for integrating new members to a flock or are the girls young enough to accept a new member without issue?

TIA

 

[TheTwoRoos]

You don't need to go threw all that trouble.Sit him in here,and if he is becoming too aggressive,then put him in a cage alone.often times they will spar for a few seconds but,that's just them figuring out the pecking order.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

The girls might be curious and start doing their lil growls,trying to square up.Some don't even acknowledge the fact that new members are there (When their young.)I added a young rooster with another rooster and they didn't even realize that they were there.They are probably 2 weeks apart.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

You will have a little scuffling here and there (all chicks do anyways) and they will get used to him. You shouldn't have any bad fighting of issue from the pullets, I would keep a close eye on any sores developing on any of the chicks or anything similar that could cause a more serious issue later on. I have a happy flock of chicks that are 10 and 9 weeks old, it works really well after the tussles are over.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Those roosters are grown now,and their little baby fights,our big bloody fights.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

Those roosters are grown now,and their little baby fights,our big bloody fights.

Umm you may want to seperate them if that's happening, my guys never get to that point and they are well around 4 pounds each.