Introducing a 2.5 year old hen to a young rooster

[Jenny McGregor]

Hello,

I have been on this site before, as we had a rooster adopt us, we built him a beautiful coop and try to keep him company, but I feel that I cannot give him the attention he needs. He has been in his new coop two weeks, and has not made any attempt to explore outside. I don't know how long he was on his own in the wild, but I think he is quite traumatized. I found on craigslist a person with an older hen, 2.5 years, who fights with the other hens in her flock and ignores the rooster. I wonder if you think she would make a good companion for our rooster. And any advice on introducing them would be so helpful. I really know nothing about chickens. But I want to give this poor rooster a good life!

 

[Star and eclipsa]

The rooster might try to mate with the hen.

 

[Emojikitten]

The rooster might attack the hen or mate with the hen. But if he doesn’t, they will make good friends. Best of luck!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

First off congratulations on your new rooster. You might want to try getting him a rooster or at least 3-5 hens. @RoostersAreAwesome knows all about rooster flocks.

 

[Jenny McGregor]

The rooster might attack the hen or mate with the hen. But if he doesn’t, they will make good friends. Best of luck!

Thank you for advice, everyone. Should I introduce them slowly in order for them to become friends, or is it just a matter of chemistry?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Introduce them slowly.

 

[Jenny McGregor]

Thanks. Maybe I can get a dog crate to keep the hen in overnight in the coop? How long should it take to make friends?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Using a dog crate is a good idea as they will be able to see each other but unable to hurt each other. I don’t know how long it’ll take for them to become friends. Maybe a week or so

 

[Jenny McGregor]

Oh my goodness! Who knew chickens were so touchy! OK, now I will find a crate and get my hen. Thank you for your good advice, I appreciate it so much. I really have no idea of how to raise a chicken!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Oh my goodness! Who knew chickens were so touchy! OK, now I will find a crate and get my hen. Thank you for your good advice, I appreciate it so much. I really have no idea of how to raise a chicken!

You’re welcome. This forum has helped so much. It truly is a wealth of knowledgeable kind people.