Introducing My chicks to an older rooster / Having two roosters

[nikkwiecinski]

I just moved my new chicks (two rhode islands, two barred rocks, two black sex links, and one orpington). outside this weekend and i have some questions i can not really find good answers too.

i built a 4 x 10 addition on my existing run which is 8 x 10 and it is divided once i move them together i will take out the dividing wall and let everyone share the space.

I read you should wait about a week or two before mixing them in with your existing flock However,
imy existing flock is only one adult rooster and no hens i found him at my job someone abandoned him so i took him home (which is where it all started). I am just wondering if those same rules would apply about mixing them in or if i should wait longer. He has also been by himself for about 6-8 months (i got him right in the beginning of winter last year) however he seems very happy about his new friends and he just hangs out in his run and watches them all day he doesnt even want to go run around my yard. any tips on how i should go about the introduction would be great!

Also one of my new rhode islands ended up being a rooster and i am concerned about that causing problems since I only have 6 hens. i have no idea what to do about him! Some people have said i have to get rid of him or get more chicks but i am hoping there is another option or maybe they will be fine.

any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[azygous]

How old are the "new" chicks? That's important information.

A single rooster without grown hens to trigger his hormones is likely to be neutral regarding chicks. But roosters can be unpredictable. You will need to stand by to intervene if you see the rooster start to go after the chicks.

I have two adult roosters. I began letting my baby chicks mingle with the adults at around two weeks. The older rooster did not react at all to the chicks racing around his legs. I tried this same introduction with the younger rooster. He went after the chicks. I then did the obvious - kept the younger rooster away from the chicks.

This younger rooster eventually relaxed around the chicks and quit going after them, but I still am not entirely trusting and keep an eye on his when he's around the chicks, who are around eight weeks old now and not as vulnerable.

By the way, your rooster is not likely to react to your little cockerel until he matures. Then they will be in competition with each other for the hens.