introducing a new rooster to an established flock with a rooster

[digbychris]

Hi all, I have a flock of about 15 australorp hens and 1 very chill rooster (all over 4 years old), 2 new Wyandotte pullets and a duck or two. All mingle together very well and have had zero issues with me introducing new birds along the way.
My australorps are aging and egg laying is decreasing, My plan for them is chicken and noodles. I bought several chicks over a month ago to replenish but all but 2 were lost to predation.
I have a chance to buy 4 young rhode island red hens but they come with a rooster. Now, I COULD just take the hens and put the rooster in a pot for sunday dinner, but.... As this is my only hobby I wanted to take it to the next level and see about incubating/hatching for the first time. I plan on asking santa for an incubator. My australorp rooster is most likely past his prime. And, to be honest, the family doesn't want him to go. Neither do I, really. He's quite a gentleman.
Aside from normal introduction routines, does anyone see an issue with these 2 roosters getting along long term? Just by asking the question I feel I know the answer, but I'm sure a lot of folks on here know more than I do. Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[sourland]

Had the RIR been raised in your flock, your present rooster would have educated him early on, and things might go smoothly. I doubt that your 'chill' flock leader will tolerate the presence of another breeding age male. There will probably be some serious fighting.

 

[flappychicken]

I introduced a Faverolle to my flock. I just let the hens see him for awhile, then introduced them separately one by one, and then one night I just put him in and they picked on him! But after a few day's of sorting themselves out everyone was fine!

He came in as the bottom of the pecking order. And then he worked his way up! Now I think he rules the flock.

I also had a RIR roo awhile ago and he was MEAN!!! He would attack anything that moved. And then the neighbors dog ate him... I have seen many roos and hens living together in the same small space, and they all seem to get along fine!

so as long as you give him time to settle in. They should settle themselves out.

Unless of course there is major fighting in that case, making a separate coop would be advised.

Just remember rooster are different. Some are nice and easy going others are mean and nasty. So if you're roos tend to be aggressive, just keep them separate I have two roos that live together but still fight. No one EVER gets hurt. So I am not sure why they do it. But I also have one roo that I would never put in with another roo.

Also the hens will peck on new hens and roos that they think will be a threat to their food, their place in the pecking order, if there is not enough room they will also attack.

Hope I was in the least bit helpful!

HAVEAGOODONE!!!

 

[digbychris]

Had the RIR been raised in your flock, your present rooster would have educated him early on, and things might go smoothly. I doubt that your 'chill' flock leader will tolerate the presence of another breeding age male. There will probably be some serious fighting.

I assumed so. I think it will be a decision on the future of the flock and what I want to do. The 2 wyandottes were sold to me as australorps so that was a surprise lol. If we're going to have a mixed bag of breeds (which is fine by me) The australorp rooster may have to go and I'll pick up the rhode island reds.

 

[sourland]

I assumed so. I think it will be a decision on the future of the flock and what I want to do. The 2 wyandottes were sold to me as australorps so that was a surprise lol. If we're going to have a mixed bag of breeds (which is fine by me) The australorp rooster may have to go and I'll pick up the rhode island reds.

One thing to keep in mind. You know the temperament of your present rooster. A younger rooster, although not aggressive now, may become more aggressive as he matures.

 

[digbychris]

I introduced a Faverolle to my flock. I just let the hens see him for awhile, then introduced them separately one by one, and then one night I just put him in and they picked on him! But after a few day's of sorting themselves out everyone was fine!

He came in as the bottom of the pecking order. And then he worked his way up! Now I think he rules the flock.

I also had a RIR roo awhile ago and he was MEAN!!! He would attack anything that moved. And then the neighbors dog ate him... I have seen many roos and hens living together in the same small space, and they all seem to get along fine!

so as long as you give him time to settle in. They should settle themselves out.

Unless of course there is major fighting in that case, making a separate coop would be advised.

Just remember rooster are different. Some are nice and easy going others are mean and nasty. So if you're roos tend to be aggressive, just keep them separate I have two roos that live together but still fight. No one EVER gets hurt. So I am not sure why they do it. But I also have one roo that I would never put in with another roo.

Also the hens will peck on new hens and roos that they think will be a threat to their food, their place in the pecking order, if there is not enough room they will also attack.

Hope I was in the least bit helpful!

HAVEAGOODONE!!!

Thanks. I've had an aggressive rhode island red rooster in the past. Terribly aggressive, we couldn't walk to get the mail without a fight. He, not to get graphic, had to go... And even that was a struggle. My australorp rooster is very calm, but he's also never been around another male before. He's very protective of his girls, he watches me intently if I have to do anything with one of the hens, but never gets aggressive to me or my border collie who likes to think he's herding them.

 

[Mrs. K]

The rooster claims hens, those are his girls and they really don't get the idea of sharing or enough for all. Especially in any kind of backyard enclosure. If you were on a farm, had multiple coops/runs. Space and cover to free range... maybe.

But to me you are asking for a cockfight. Now, it may be a one time deal, it may or may not cause extreme physical damage, it may cause a death. They may have one fight, sort it out, or they may fight every day until one is gone. How a rooster acts with people and just his girls, is not a solid indicator of how he will act with a new younger rooster wanting some of his girls or the new hens.

Chicken math needs to be both ways, adding and subtracting. It is the hard part, but wishing that they would all get along, really does not work.

Mrs K

 

[digbychris]

The rooster claims hens, those are his girls and they really don't get the idea of sharing or enough for all. Especially in any kind of backyard enclosure. If you were on a farm, had multiple coops/runs. Space and cover to free range... maybe.

But to me you are asking for a cockfight. Now, it may be a one time deal, it may or may not cause extreme physical damage, it may cause a death. They may have one fight, sort it out, or they may fight every day until one is gone. How a rooster acts with people and just his girls, is not a solid indicator of how he will act with a new younger rooster wanting some of his girls or the new hens.

Chicken math needs to be both ways, adding and subtracting. It is the hard part, but wishing that they would all get along, really does not work.

Mrs K

I totally get it! thanks! they typically do free range on my farm, but still...

 

[Mrs. K]

Do you have a single coop? If so, I stand that you are asking for a cockfight. You can try it, I know you want to. Have a fishnet with a 4 foot handle. That way you can break up a fight. You might need two, and two adults. Fighting roosters can be dang scary and they will be singly focused on the other rooster, they will not pay any attention to you, you may need to manually separate them.

You will need a dog crate, to put one of the roosters in. You need a plan B already set up and ready to use, before you try this. Sometimes if you are ready for it to go south, it works, but you don't want to wait till the fight begins to figure out how to stop it.

 

[digbychris]

Do you have a single coop? If so, I stand that you are asking for a cockfight. You can try it, I know you want to. Have a fishnet with a 4 foot handle. That way you can break up a fight. You might need two, and two adults. Fighting roosters can be dang scary and they will be singly focused on the other rooster, they will not pay any attention to you, you may need to manually separate them.

You will need a dog crate, to put one of the roosters in. You need a plan B already set up and ready to use, before you try this. Sometimes if you are ready for it to go south, it works, but you don't want to wait till the fight begins to figure out how to stop it.

I'm not interested in stressing them out or getting a fight going on. It is a single coop, and like I said, I'm interested in the RIR hens to replace my aging australorp hens and I'm interested in the RIR rooster further my hobby and start some hatching. So the australorp rooster may go.