Integrating my chicks with the adults.

[Lydia Huizenga]

Hi all. I was planning on integrating my 8 week old chicks into my main flock when the chicks turn 12 weeks. I know how to integrate them properly and whatnot but I only have one question. Will my roosters try to mount the chicks? My main flock has 6 chickens, 2 roos and 4 hens which is way too low, roo/hen ratio. Which is why we are getting more females. So I'm worried about my full grown roos trying to mount the chicks. Will they? This is my first time integrating but I've had chickens for almost a year. Anything helps.

 

[azygous]

If you are in doubt about your roosts' behavior, then keep them segregated from the youngsters. There is no guarantee they won't mount the chicks, though as a rule, POL pullets, not young chicks, will interest roosters.

I raised chicks recently, and the roosters haven't shown any interest in the pullets yet at twelve weeks, but one rooster was bullying them so he wasn't allowed near them.

Each rooster has his own behavior characteristics. You need to play it by ear.

 

[Lydia Huizenga]

@azygous Thanks. I let them free range together and the roosters haven't tried yet. Granted though, my chicks are only 8 weeks, 9 weeks on Monday.

 

[aart]

I let them free range together and the roosters haven't tried yet. Granted though, my chicks are only 8 weeks, 9 weeks on Monday.

That's good sign.....hopefully it continues.