We have a big coop with 6 young nearly 3 months old hens. A friend is giving us (she can't keep chickens anymore) new 4 month old roo. Any tips and tricks on the introduction? Should we keep him separated? His name is Leonardo and Aparently he isn't very agresive he is barred rock breed our hens are orpington
Hi Glad you could join us here! How nice of you take your friends roo in for her. I like the see but do t touch method of introducing new birds to the flock. Here is a great article all about it ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method I'm sure you will find it most helpful. Wishing you the very best of luck and enjoy BYC
First of all quarantine the new bird and be sure he isn't sneezing or wheezing. I know it is from a friend but if you add a bird that is ill - all your chickens will be ill. So always quarantine first. Better to be over cautious than sorry. Welcome to BYC Glad you are joining us. Chickens are funny - they tend to hang out with the chickens they were raised with in the brooder. Roosters are different. They may ignore him or peck at him for a while unless he is fully matured. Then he will be chasing them to breed with them and eventually they might accept him or continue to ignore him. It is always a challenge to add a chicken to a new group. Just be really cautious about being sure the birds you add are well. Birds hide sickness as a survival instinct and I hope everything is perfect and you have no issues. I had a bird show up out no where and join my flock - I had a lot of chickens at the time. She was sneezing and before long they were all sneezing. I was able to use antibiotic in the water and treat everyone but it was a hard lesson to learn. Caroline
I agree wholeheartedly with Caroline. With new birds, you may be adding worms or mites to your flock or worse Marek's disease. Many folks are forgoing having a rooster. The hens are much less stressed without one and will lay just as many eggs. Unless you need a rooster for fertile eggs to hatch or sell.- there is no reason to have one. We hear so many newbies telling of the mean, roosters that are terrorizing their hens and they feel they must keep him. But there is never a good reason to have a bad roo. Many of them start out adorable until their hormones take over.
