Integrating

[mookietown]

I have 7 mature hens age 2 -3 years old separate from 5 pullets and one cockerel (not planned) all 16 weeks.

The problem at the moment is that the cockerel (Bullet) has become a bit hormonal and is pulling feathers, mounting and chasing the pullets who are not mature yet.

My question is..
1. Do I move the cockerel in with the older 2-3 year old hens on his own?
or
2. Do I add the cockerel with the pullets to the 2-3 year old group?

 

[mookietown]

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have 7 mature hens age 2 -3 years old separate from 5 pullets and one cockerel (not planned) all 16 weeks.

The problem at the moment is that the cockerel (Bullet) has become a bit hormonal and is pulling feathers, mounting and chasing the pullets who are not mature yet.

My question is..
1. Do I move the cockerel in with the older 2-3 year old hens on his own?
or
2. Do I add the cockerel with the pullets to the 2-3 year old group?

Since you do already have older hens, option 1 might be worth trying. Older hens (the "aunties") are usually pretty good about whomping some sense into over-sexed young cockerels and teaching them their manners. If you like something about Bullet, other than his current testosterone poisoning, you might eventually wind up with a good rooster.

If you don't CLEARLY see a need or role for a rooster in your flock, I'd just rehome him, especially since he was a surprise. Even good roosters can occasionally be a bit disruptive in the flock, and you still have the integration of the pullets to go through.

 

[mookietown]

Thanks for the reply,

Family members have grown attached to Bullet (Barnevelder) and want to give him a chance...
They have been living side by side for a over a month now and perhaps letting the older ladies "teach him manners" will be best.

I offered him a chance to enter their area and he was to scared to do so, he dances for the older hens, which is what sets him off after the pullets. So I will give it another go and let you know how it goes.

I assume that the feed will need to be changed from layer feed for the older girls, but is it ok for the cockerel to have some before I get a chance to switch to all flock?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Thanks for the reply,

Family members have grown attached to Bullet (Barnevelder) and want to give him a chance...
They have been living side by side for a over a month now and perhaps letting the older ladies "teach him manners" will be best.

I offered him a chance to enter their area and he was to scared to do so, he dances for the older hens, which is what sets him off after the pullets. So I will give it another go and let you know how it goes.

I assume that the feed will need to be changed from layer feed for the older girls, but is it ok for the cockerel to have some before I get a chance to switch to all flock?

A few weeks of layer feed won’t hurt. If you’re near the bottom of the bag, you might even consider not reordering and just put the whole flock on a Flock Maker or similar mix. They’re higher in protein than most layer feeds. Just keep plenty of oyster shell and crushed eggshells handy. Chickens needing extra calcium will eat the shell, others won’t bother.

Sounds encouraging that he’s a bit scared of them now! In the world of chickens, a bit of fear can lead to future respect!

- oh, and Barnevelder roosters are absolutely gorgeous! Hope he works out!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

A few weeks of layer feed won’t hurt. If you’re near the bottom of the bag, you might even consider not reordering and just put the whole flock on a Flock Maker or similar mix. They’re higher in protein than most layer feeds. Just keep plenty of oyster shell and crushed eggshells handy. Chickens needing extra calcium will eat the shell, others won’t bother.

Sounds encouraging that he’s a bit scared of them now! In the world of chickens, a bit of fear can lead to future respect!

- oh, and Barnevelder roosters are absolutely gorgeous! Hope he works out!

If the aunties really harass him, you might want to have a separate spot he can roost in and recover his dignity. In the same run, but a bit separated from the hens’ roost. Chickens are amazingly territorial.