Intro 5 hens with 7 pullets with or without Roo?

[patman75]

I have 7 pullets and a Roo that are 14 weeks old.

I have 5 hens that are almost 1 1/2 year old.

The roo is the master of all and has already dominated the older hens during brief free ranging interactions.

I won't be putting them all in the same pen until the pullets are around 18-20 weeks.

The Roo will be going to freezer camp sooner or later, I want to keep peace with the neighbors.

So the big question is should I keep the Roo during the introduction period to keep all the older hens in check or just let all the girls sort out the pecking order? Which will make an easier transition? Or if I did keep the roo and then after the girls are civil again I get rid of him, will this cause the pecking order to start all over again?

Thanks

 

[paddock36]

With or without the roo you will still have hens that will chase after the new hens until they are established in the flock.