Introducing a rooster and pullets to two adult hens

[hoosierhens101]

After a devastating fall we have to pretty much start over. I have two hens left. I would like to make the back half of our storage barn into a new large coop with access to our already built secure pen and a large outdoor run (newly netted in from above). What is the best way to introduce the new coop, new pullets and new rooster to my two remaining hens? I was thinking of putting the pullets in the new coop first and then introducing the adult hens later. I have no idea how and when to introduce a rooster. Our local Agrarian owner has told me when I want a rooster to let her know because she has lots of city chicken raisers that ended up with accidental roosters and they are not allowed in the city limits. So I assume the rooster will be a young adult
Thanks

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

This article on flock integration might help:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/06/integrating-new-flock-members-playpen/

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

If the rooster is an adult or you get him as a chick your hens will adjust in time. Just be aware of breeding when picking out a rooster as the roosters have a different temperament from the hens - usually more protective and aggressive obviously. Of course there are exceptions to this. Australorps are supposed to be very human aggressive, but mine is not.

To introduce a rooster I would keep him separated for about 2 weeks to see signs of sickness and to let the hens get used to him. A large dog kennel works fine if you have limited space. Let the hens and new rooster see and hear, but not touch each other. There will be some pecking and quarrels at first, but it will resolve in about 1-2 weeks. My BO rooster was adjusted and no quarrels in a few hours. Just depends on the breed and the individual bird.

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens hate change - so do it all at once. I do agree with the idea of letting the pullets in there first for a day. And I am unclear if the pullets and rooster know each other. Make sure you have hide outs, multiple feed stations/ water. And you should be good to go. Keeping a bird in a no touch, but visible is not a bad idea, and often works well for integration, but it will do nothing for prevention of sickness.

You might need to add information on size of birds and age of birds, as different ages and sizes can make for different problems.

Mrs K

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x Mrs. K
Quarantine the new ones from your flock no matter what age, if you got the space a month. It's been asked, what age are your girls? Age of the pullets? Age of the rooster? Are the rooster & pullets from the same flock?

 

[hoosierhens101]

This article on flock integration might help:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/06/integrating-new-flock-members-playpen/

This was very helpful. It sounds like I can use my old small coop and pen as my "playpen" for introduction

 

[hoosierhens101]

2x Mrs. K
Quarantine the new ones from your flock no matter what age, if you got the space a month. It's been asked, what age are your girls? Age of the pullets? Age of the rooster? Are the rooster & pullets from the same flock?

The original 2 hens are 1 yr old ( rhode Island red cross) and 2 ( easter egger) years old. I am getting 8 chicks in the spring to eventually intergrate with the two older ones.( 2 Jersey giants, 1 Buff orpington, 1 barred plymouth rock, 1 silver laced wyandotte, 1 lavender orpington, 1 buff brahma and one blue egg layer). I am open on advice on the rooster. I was thinking of adopting one that needs a home because inside the city roosters are not allowed. So I assume it will be a young rooster. Or I can get a male chick and raise him with the other chicks

 

[hoosierhens101]

2x Mrs. K
Quarantine the new ones from your flock no matter what age, if you got the space a month. It's been asked, what age are your girls? Age of the pullets? Age of the rooster? Are the rooster & pullets from the same flock?

The original 2 hens are 1 yr old ( rhode Island red cross) and 2 ( easter egger) years old. I am getting 8 chicks in the spring to eventually intergrate with the two older ones.( 2 Jersey giants, 1 Buff orpington, 1 barred plymouth rock, 1 silver laced wyandotte, 1 lavender orpington, 1 buff brahma and one blue egg layer). I am open on advice on the rooster. I was thinking of adopting one that needs a home because inside the city roosters are not allowed. So I assume it will be a young rooster. Or I can get a male chick and raise him with the other chicks

 

[ChickNanny13]

IMO you've got it figured out ... "I was thinking of putting the pullets in the new coop first and then introducing the adult hens later." The newbies can start off in the new place, when you introduce the "older" ones, section off a section they'll be separated with the idea of "See but no touch" ... As for the male, it would be the same introduction unless he's with the newbies you get, he would just stay with them & get introduced at the same time.