Introducing a roo

[PollyWallyFrog]

I’m not sure if this is where I should put this but here it is!

Theres someone local giving away roosters (they have a few different breeds) and I was thinking of contacting them about possible getting a black austraorp. I have 4 chickens; 2 chocolate orpingtons (15 weeks) and 2 black Austraorps (11 weeks).

My question is: is this even a good idea? What should I consider when trying to introduce a roo? Are they too young?

I haven’t contacted this person yet because I want to know a little more about if it’s even a good idea before getting too deep. So I don’t know how old they are but I would suspect old enough to know they’re roo’s and the flyer has been up for a couple weeks.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[sloanbychoice]

With only four girls, you could be asking for trouble with over mating.
I personally wouldn’t, at least not until you have more girls, or are really well equipped to keep one separated for lengths of time when needed.
Also, if you do decide to get one, you should definitely keep him quarantined from your girls for around a month to make sure you aren’t introducing any disease.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well it depends on:

• how much space you have - if you have a pre-fab coop, I know they say 6 birds, but not really. Roosters tend to need a little more room than hens. And your birds are not full size, so what seems like a lot of room now, may not be enough room in 6 weeks.
• Some roosters are fair, some good, a few fantastic, and a lot are just plain awful. If you could not cull a rotten rooster, do not get them.
• I do not recommend getting a rooster until your pullets have all been laying, they are just not ready for a rooster until then, and without older hens in the flock, and especially if he is a cockerel, he is going to be too much.
• If you have children under the age of 6, I recommend waiting, kids can take an attack in the face.
• Really it is best to wait until the second year to add roosters, an all hen flock is good for the learning curve.

Thing is, keep the number - they will probably have roosters next year too!

Mrs K

 

[PollyWallyFrog]

With only four girls, you could be asking for trouble with over mating.
I personally wouldn’t, at least not until you have more girls, or are really well equipped to keep one separated for lengths of time when needed.
Also, if you do decide to get one, you should definitely keep him quarantined from your girls for around a month to make sure you aren’t introducing any disease.

Well it depends on:

• how much space you have - if you have a pre-fab coop, I know they say 6 birds, but not really. Roosters tend to need a little more room than hens. And your birds are not full size, so what seems like a lot of room now, may not be enough room in 6 weeks.
• Some roosters are fair, some good, a few fantastic, and a lot are just plain awful. If you could not cull a rotten rooster, do not get them.
• I do not recommend getting a rooster until your pullets have all been laying, they are just not ready for a rooster until then, and without older hens in the flock, and especially if he is a cockerel, he is going to be too much.
• If you have children under the age of 6, I recommend waiting, kids can take an attack in the face.
• Really it is best to wait until the second year to add roosters, an all hen flock is good for the learning curve.

Thing is, keep the number - they will probably have roosters next year too!

Mrs K

Thank you for the advice! This is really helpful information. I'm in no rush so I'll just stick with the ladies I have for now.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have 4 chickens; 2 chocolate orpingtons (15 weeks) and 2 black Austraorps (11 weeks).

My question is: is this even a good idea? What should I consider when trying to introduce a roo? Are they too young?

What are your goals for getting a male? Why do you want one? My general suggestion is to keep as few males as you can and still reach your goals. The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Anything else is personal preference. Nothing wrong with personal preference, I have a few of those myself. But those are a want, not a need.

I personally don't believe much in ratios. You can have issues with 1 rooster and 20 hens, you may have no issues with 1 rooster and only 2 or 3 hens. There are so many variables involved. The rooster's personality and age, the girls personality and age, and how much room you have to start with are all important. I don't know if your perfect number of boys is 0 or 1.

Introducing a cockerel to immature pullets or even mature hens can be pretty messy. I do that every year by raising cockerels (and pullets) with the flock but that is an entirely different situation from you. It can get messy.

But one of the easiest integrations can be introducing a mature rooster to a flock of laying hens. He swaggers in with his magnificence and self-confidence and WOWs them. He mates one or two and the flock is his. There can always be exceptions to anything but unless he is a really wimpy rooster and your head hen is really strong-willed this is usually a very easy integration.

I totally agree with you decision to wait. Very wise. If you decide your goals require a rooster wait until the girls are laying and try to find a mature rooster to add.

 

[LRH97]

What are your goals for getting a male? Why do you want one? My general suggestion is to keep as few males as you can and still reach your goals. The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Anything else is personal preference. Nothing wrong with personal preference, I have a few of those myself. But those are a want, not a need.

I personally don't believe much in ratios. You can have issues with 1 rooster and 20 hens, you may have no issues with 1 rooster and only 2 or 3 hens. There are so many variables involved. The rooster's personality and age, the girls personality and age, and how much room you have to start with are all important. I don't know if your perfect number of boys is 0 or 1.

Introducing a cockerel to immature pullets or even mature hens can be pretty messy. I do that every year by raising cockerels (and pullets) with the flock but that is an entirely different situation from you. It can get messy.

But one of the easiest integrations can be introducing a mature rooster to a flock of laying hens. He swaggers in with his magnificence and self-confidence and WOWs them. He mates one or two and the flock is his. There can always be exceptions to anything but unless he is a really wimpy rooster and your head hen is really strong-willed this is usually a very easy integration.

I totally agree with you decision to wait. Very wise. If you decide your goals require a rooster wait until the girls are laying and try to find a mature rooster to add.

Agree on everything here. I think circumstances play the biggest part in whether there are problems or not. Space and temperament of the birds being the two biggest factors.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

I would only introduce a male younger than the females, so he can learn respect and humility before becoming in charge one day