Introducing a new Roo??

[Kimmyk80]

My nephew found a roo that someone had dumped and left to the predators. After some investigation, he is a roo that a local family had, but they didn't want him because he crowed too much:-/ Anyway, he brought it to my house, but I know I can't just put him in with my flock because my roos won't take kindly to him. I guess my question is, can a rooster ever be integrated into my flock without the roos fighting to death? He is a very calm lavender orpington roo, so I would love to keep him. I currently have 11 hens and 2 roos that free range through the day. I am planning to expand my flock with more hens this spring.

 

[sourland]

Established flock roosters will be most likely very unlikely to accept him into the flock. Given enough space, feed stations, and hens it might work, but would be difficult and take a lot of time.

 

[Folly's place]

Aside from the biosecurity issues he presents, introducing a rooster to other established flock roosters is not going to go well.
Find him another home, or set him up in a separate coop and run. MAYBE by spring, free ranging, some of them might decide to get along. Or you might decide he's a keeper, and some others aren't. Or something.
Mary

 

[Trevorusn]

My nephew found a roo that someone had dumped and left to the predators. After some investigation, he is a roo that a local family had, but they didn't want him because he crowed too much:-/ Anyway, he brought it to my house, but I know I can't just put him in with my flock because my roos won't take kindly to him. I guess my question is, can a rooster ever be integrated into my flock without the roos fighting to death? He is a very calm lavender orpington roo, so I would love to keep him. I currently have 11 hens and 2 roos that free range through the day. I am planning to expand my flock with more hens this spring.

You free range so that does help. Make sure there is enough space for the new guy to run to if it gets too much. Roo integration is a tricky business in a flock with a strong alpha roo already. It is doable, space is a big factor. You could also try setting up a small safe enclosure near the coop so the birds see each other but have no physical contact. Give that 2 weeks or so and then try releasing the new fella into the flock while they are free ranging. However, you should ideally at first quarantine him for 2 weeks or so initially for biosecurity before integration.

 

[Trevorusn]

I think its awesome you took him in, Lavender is for me a very striking color on an Orpington! I pray it goes well!

 

[Kimmyk80]

I was actually able to find a good home for him. He is a beauty, and is very gentle, but I can’t take a chance of my current roosters or hens suffering injury. I’m too attached to them Thank you all for your help!