Introducing new chicks.....interesting scenerio

[Wisconsin chick]

We were given a Barred Rock Rooster (about 12-24 months) and a White Rock Hen (about 6 yrs old) They were both destined for the stew pot! Apparently the Rooster (Harold) was trouble and was fighting with the other roosters...they are an organic co-op with 200 chickens....and he was fighting with the co-op crew as well. We took them on...our first experience with chickens. Well the first night Harold was chased by our 8 month old boxer, and upon finding him several hours later, we have 15 acres, I put him in the dog carrier to bring him back to the make shift run, and he broke his middle toe in the move. We were unprepared for the chickens and have since built a coop and an enclosed run for them.

Here is the dilemma. Harold is the most amazing Roo. He is gentle and he and Maude are inseparable. I have never had any issues with him. I think the broken toe and the move changed his demeanor! But since then he will not roost. He cannot bend his middle toe. It has been 3 months since his injury so he is healed and walking just fine now. But Maude doesn't roost either.. They both hunker down under the roost and sleep. BTW Harold holds his own on our Boxer now and keeps him in check! ;-)

Well, we now have five 9 week old pullets about to enter the picture in a few weeks. What will happen when they try to roost?? I know time will tell..but I was hoping someone may have had a similar experience!

 

[centrarchid]

For short-term, remove hen from equation. Then add pullets making certain they can get away from rooster if he proves to be a threat. He may be at first but will quickly accept them as his new little harem. Do not re-introduce hen until pullets had a few days to get lay of land and tolerance of rooster. When the hen is returned she will abuse them a bit but will not last long.

As for such birds roosting below, show pictures of them and roost area. Either somebody can not fly or roost is too tight.

 

[Wisconsin chick]

Here are a couple pics of the coop. The 9 week old chicks are in the coop separated by the dog kennel they are in.

 

[centrarchid]

Roost look adequate and not challenging to access. Neither toe issue or advanced age of hen should keep birds down. Prolonged history of roosting on ground under management of previous keeper may be at play.

I still like them roosting so the do not sit in their own excretaover night, rapid assessment possible of roosting birds, and they can have a measure of protection if a predator comes into coop. Many times I have have a varmint beat my coop design and get in but chickens where still safe becuase predator did not or could not get to roosting birds before I or dog got to predator.

 

[Judy]

I would probably try a wider roost or even a small shelf if I really wanted them to roost. It seems I always have at least one who isn't roosting and I just let them sleep where they choose, as long as it's not in the nest boxes. You don't want them sleeping under the roost, though, as half the day's poop will fall on them.

 

[Wisconsin chick]

They both used the roost prior to our taking them home with us. We are going to change to 2x4 boards before we introduce the pullets into the coop in a few weeks. I think we will have a roost on 2 separate sides of the coop, to give them a chance to settle in. My concern is if the rooster won't roost, will that cause a problem with the others trying to roost....pecking order, etc. I guess I will just have to wait and see!

 

[Indigosands]

FWIW my birds hate any perch that is perfectly round. That looks a bit small in diameter too. I have 2x4's laid flat inside the coop and everyone's happy.