Introducing a new rooster to an all hen flock.

[Chicken piper]

Hello, my husband and I are raising backyard chickens as pets and for the eggs, we have 3 four year old rhoad island reds and just today got a bantny rooster to raise with them, he is 6 months old, how do introduce him to the others? We put him in with the hens but the head chicken and second in command keep chasing him around the half acre pen and won't let him get water or food. This is only the first day, do you think he will " man up" or am I looking for more trouble?thanks a bunch .

 

[Chicken piper]

Hello, my husband and I are raising backyard chickens as pets and for the eggs, we have 3 four year old rhoad island reds and just today got a bantny rooster to raise with them, he is 6 months old, how do introduce him to the others? We put him in with the hens but the head chicken and second in command keep chasing him around the half acre pen and won't let him get water or food. This is only the first day, do you think he will " man up" or am I looking for more trouble?thanks a bunch .

 

[dekel18042]

Hello, my husband and I are raising backyard chickens as pets and for the eggs, we have 3 four year old rhoad island reds and just today got a bantny rooster to raise with them, he is 6 months old, how do introduce him to the others? We put him in with the hens but the head chicken and second in command keep chasing him around the half acre pen and won't let him get water or food. This is only the first day, do you think he will " man up" or am I looking for more trouble?thanks a bunch .

What breed is your bantam rooster? He is still young while your RIR's (which can be mean) are fully grown. As long as blood isn't being drawn I would let them work it out. You may need to add more feeders and waterers so he isn't being kept away from the food or water.
I have both large fowl and bantams and everyone gets along. The bantams don't give quarter. I've known of several cases where bantam roosters worked themselves up (They start on the bottom when introduced) to the number one post when introduced to an all girl large fowl flock. Good luck.
BTW, I love the little bantams. I have never had a mean bantam rooster though I know others have, and although tiny, they do a good job of taking care of their girls and are very alert.

 

[Dragonfly0373]

Hello. Not new to chickens (but still learning) so finally decided to join here. My question is this. This year I decided to get second rooster, a silver salmon Marans, and split up my hens between the two houses/ roosters. New rooster would be going into a new house along with the new hens I hatched out this year. Is it best to put the young hens and rooster in house all at once? (He's still in quarantine.) Or is it better to put hens in then add him? They are in with my existing rooster for the moment. Thanks hope I was able to explain this ok

 

[CynthiaDown]

So... I just did this two days ago - introduced a young rooster to a flock of older hens (2+ yrs) - so far he's not getting a lot of lovin' and I feel a little sorry for him. He's definitely got his work cut out for him. when he chases after a hen they'll run between the other hens who cock block him (smirk). When he crows they may or may not gravitate to where he's at and they sorta kinda hang out where he's hanging out. He tried starting at the bottom of the pecking order but she's too fast and evasive. He did get one of the hens and now she pretty much hangs with him... I just hope he doesn't giver her ALL his attention (due to lack of it elsewhere). He's very handsome and gentlemanly so I hope they can appreciate him after awhile. He didn't even sleep in their coop last night but slept out in a covered area where we keep the rabbits. I'll probably post back here and keep you updated for the fun of it. His name is Big Chief.

 

[corriemartin]

I just lost BOTH of my roosters two days ago in a rogue neighborhood dog attack, and so am now rooster-less. We really wanted the roosters for making more chicks, so want to get another rooster. The girls (only 11 now) are 18 weeks old. When is the best time to get another rooster. Now? I imagine it'll be pretty easy to find one, as people always seem to be wanting to get rid of them, but should we do it now while they're still pullets, or wait?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would wait, but just a couple of more weeks. When they are all laying is a good time to add a rooster. If you can, get a rooster about a year old. They are the best!

A couple of years ago, I added a new rooster, took him a week to get brave enough to roost with the girls, but in the end they all loved him!