Introducing a baby Rooster to my flock of hens?

[Emmalepre72]

Hi everyone!!

I have a flock of four hens, they’re about 3 years old now. We’ve always wanted a rooster, so yesterday our neighbor gave us one of her babies. He seems to be around 2-3 months old. Yesterday I held him next to the flock for probably 5-10 mins, then let him (sorry, I’ve never had chickens before!) and one of my hens pecked his neck and ripped out feathers.

I’m not quite sure how to introduce them, I’d absolutely hate for him to get injured or even die. I have him in a dog crate in the backyard right now, so that they can all see him. He’s very panicky and doesn’t seem to be calming down. What’s the best way I can go about this?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Can you section off a part of the yard space or coop space and keep him separate for a couple months where they can see each other through the fence, daytime and nighttime, but don’t let him in with them until he’s closer to four months old

 

[Jenbirdee]

Hey, you said he’s panicky and won’t calm down. I would bring him inside to a quiet place until he calms down before he is out where the girls can see him again and maybe give him a a sip of sugar water

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

I agree with @Jenbirdee he needs to be separated for a while. He is too young to be with the adult hens, they will hurt him. They aren't going to accept him as head of the flock, Rooster, until he is mature. I'd keep him in a separated section of the coop for several weeks, let them all see each other from behind wire or fence. When you do mix him in, watch carefully for a few weeks, put out more food and water stations, lots of hidey places and levels to escape. When he's 6 or 7 months old, the hens will allow him to be flock leader.

Good luck with your new boy, give him time to grow.

 

[janiedoe]

Give those hens a firm lecture. Tell them he will be getting revenge. And, follow the advise from @Jenbirdee

 

[triciayoung]

I agree with @Jenbirdee and @TwoCrows. He is panicking because he was hurt. Bring him in until he calms down and then put him in something safe so that they can see each other but not touch each other. In the evening, if you don't have something separate that is safe, you may need to bring him in.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.
Leave him in the dog crate inside the dog crate in the coop and run.
see but not touch.

 

[Emmalepre72]

Thank you all so much!!

Would it be better to give him back to the neighbor until he is of age? Not sure if that would make it harder in the future to join my flock.

My hens are free range so I may need to go to tractor supply to get him a large run. I feel so bad for the poor little guy!

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you all so much!!

Would it be better to give him back to the neighbor until he is of age? Not sure if that would make it harder in the future to join my flock.

My hens are free range so I may need to go to tractor supply to get him a large run. I feel so bad for the poor little guy!

It's up to you. Once he's mature and fully grown, mixing him won't be a problem. Right now the hens don't see him as a rooster, when he's mature, they wouldn't dare think of him otherwise. Until then he will get picked on unfortunately.

 

[DotToDot]

Welcome to BYC! I agree with what almost everyone has said- it’s best to keep them separate.