Introducing mature rooster and 2 hens to an all adolescent flock with 1 rooster

[CampBellChickens]

I am semi new to backyard chickens and i cannot find any info on introducing a mature rooster to an adolescent one. I have a separate coop within my coop that I plan to put these 3 in before letting them out with my original flock. Is this what I should do? And another question is: I occasionally foster chickens for the local shelter that only houses cats and dogs. I am planning to catch and foster what looks to be a mature rooster in the morning and I am not sure if housing it in its own pen within my coop is the best to do when I am also bringing in my 3 adult chickens tomorrow as well. Please help with any advice..

 

[ChickNanny13]

First of all, any "new" member (s) should be quarantined from your flock at least a month to PREVENT infecting your flock with any disease or issues. Then introduces as you plan, an enclosure within your coop. I'm not sure about the ratio of hens per Roo but it's alot of hens to Roo or you may have issues.

If you want to foster any, quarantine is a must, so maybe you need to come up with a separate enclosure for new birds? Just my thought, others will have their own opinions. Enjoy

 

[getaclue]

Rule of thumb ratio (not set in stone) is 10 hens per 1 rooster. ChickNanny is correct about quarantining any new chickens. They should be in separate enclosures, not too close to your flock, so as not to contaminate them with anything. For your situation you will need a "bachelor" pad too, so the roosters don't fight.

 

[getaclue]

Glad you joined us.

 

[CampBellChickens]

Thank you for your advice ChickNanny13. My new 3 are being quarantined at the moment, they just aren't on my property. It's time to introduce them. My foster roo will quarantined for the time being because he is very beautiful and someone has to be missing him, so my anxiousness got the best of me when posting this thread.

I mostly want to know what my might happen introducing 2 mature hens and 1 mature rooster to a flock of adolescents approaching 4 months old.

 

[getaclue]

I mostly want to know what my might happen introducing 2 mature hens and 1 mature rooster to a flock of adolescents approaching 4 months old.

All heck is going to break out, and someone's going to get hurt, or worse. You don't just go throwing a bunch of chickens together, especially when there's a big age difference, and expect it to all be ok.

 

[CampBellChickens]

And being that my adolescent roo is still fairly young, could I have time to get more hens for the 2 roos that I will have? My young roo is close to 4 months old. No crowing yet. I'll post pictures of their enclosure, please keep in mind that my coop run will be expanding more in the next 2 weeks. Also, first picture was taken before I installed nesting boxes.

 

[CampBellChickens]

All heck is going to break out, and someone's going to get hurt, or worse. You don't just go throwing a bunch of chickens together, especially when there's a big age difference, and expect it to all be ok.

I am completely aware of that, which is why they will be put in a separate coop within my main coop's run, just like you would do to introduce new chicks. Thank you for your opinion.

 

[getaclue]

If it were me, I would keep the newcomers in their own individual cages for now. Here's why. Roosters don't always do well together, especially if there is a hen involved. If you put one of the roosters with the hen, he's going to overbreed her. When you get more hens, then consider introducing them. Again, be prepared in case the roosters simply won't get along. If you are going to do rescues on a regular basis, it would be very wise to build a bachelor pad, where several roosters can be kept individually, similar to breeding pens, but a bit smaller.