Introducing 2 nine week old roosters to flock

[dhh]

I have 9 week old pullets and roos that I want to incorporate into my existing flock of 30 six month old hens and 1 six month old BLRW rooster. I am not too worried about the pullets, but how will the older rooster react to the 9 week roosters?

 

[emzee]

The older rooster may be aggressive towards the younger ones. However, I would still incorporate them into the flock but keep an eye on them to make sure that the older rooster doesn't draw blood.

 

[Lollipop]

Of course all breeds and circumstances are different, but as a rule, all of the older chickens are gonna be a pain in the butt for the little ones to live with. Ya better have lots of room for the little guys to run. See for yourself.......Pop

 

[dhh]

Thanks for your suggestions. I have a 30 by 90 run attached to a 12x15 chicken coop for my main flock, so hope this will be plenty of room.

I introduced 10 week olds to the flock(I forgot to mention I have 4 two year old hens in this mix) about 3 months ago and had no trouble but I did not have the rooster at the time. These are my first roo to roo dealings!

 

[Lollipop]

At 9-10 weeks nobody will be concerned about the roosters. Chickens are very territorial and will resent all the new ones. You may have some softies and they don`t care about the new additions, but often that is not the case. If your older cockeral was mature, as in over a year, he wouldn`t be a threat to them at all, but hens, the pullets, and a young cockeral will need watching. It`s good you have plenty of room for them to escape, but you still need to be aware that conflicts may occure. Good luck.........Pop

 

[peacockfarmer1]

he will ignore them if roosters grow up together they seldom fight

every year i hatch 100s of chicks to sell and we keep all the roosters together until they are about 8 months

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
Not the same scenario, amigo. Immature cockerals from about 5 months on are usually like teenage boys with an out of control labido. He will resent any intruders (strangers), as will the pullets that are older. It`s just common chicken behavior. What you said is true, but cannot be applied in this case.......Pop

 

[sourland]

Pop is the voice of logic and reason here. Young birds introduced into a mature flock generally is a recipe for aggression. It probably won't take the form of rooster to cockerel aggression but rather will be adult to immature aggression. 9 week olds are no match for adult birds.

 

[dhh]

Thanks. My husband and father in law are just finishing a small coop w/ run adjacent to my large run & coop. I am going to move the babies in there and make this a gradual transition over the next few weeks. The flock will be able to see but not access the small ones. Thanks for your help!