Introducing new pullets and 2 Roosters to 4yo flock

[rcravey]

I got six new chicks on 4/18/24, and it turns out two of them are roosters. I have kept all of the young one's separate from my older flock of 4yo hens but their coops line each other on one side so they've been getting to know each other through the fence. My initial worry when introducing them was that the little ones might get pecked on by the older one's but now that I have two roosters my worry is that the rooster's will harrass the older hens. They are very friendly and good roosters, but still roosters none the less. I let my younger chickens free range when we are at home but the older one's have never free ranged. Should I put the new one's in the older one's coop and watch them? Or should I let the older one's out to free range with the younger ones? I appreciate your advice.

 

[FrostRanger]

First, how many total birds do you have?
Second, how big are your coop and run in feet?
Third, males under a year old are cockerels, not roosters. There is a very big difference in introducing a mature rooster and an immature cockerel
Fourth, since you are introducing cockerels to mature hens, it's actually more likely the boys will have some manners thumped into them. As long as they aren't hurting them, this is good, they will be more likely to turn out more gentlemanly because of that
Fifth, do you have a plan in place if the boys start fighting? Having more hens does increase the likelihood of them getting along long term, but some roosters will fight each other no matter what you do and will need to be separated for their own safety. Not saying that they will fight someday but know it is a possibility

 

[Mrs. K]

I would let them out to free range close to dark, watch them with a good squirt gun to break up things, but I wouldn’t expect too much problems.

For better response, answer FrostRanger’s question as he covered the big issues.

 

[rcravey]

First, how many total birds do you have?
Second, how big are your coop and run in feet?
Third, males under a year old are cockerels, not roosters. There is a very big difference in introducing a mature rooster and an immature cockerel
Fourth, since you are introducing cockerels to mature hens, it's actually more likely the boys will have some manners thumped into them. As long as they aren't hurting them, this is good, they will be more likely to turn out more gentlemanly because of that
Fifth, do you have a plan in place if the boys start fighting? Having more hens does increase the likelihood of them getting along long term, but some roosters will fight each other no matter what you do and will need to be separated for their own safety. Not saying that they will fight someday but know it is a possibility

A total of 14 birds - 8 that are 4yo and 6 that are 4mo.
Our coop is 10'x8' and the runs are 12'x16' and 8'x8'
Thank you for the cockerel vs rooster explanation. That explains why I had trouble finding an answer from previous forum posts since I was searching rooster rather than cockerel.
Very good to know about your fourth point!
We have thought about not opening up the run where the younger birds are now (the one that is 8x8) so that if we needed to keep the roosters separated we could.
Thank you so much!

 

[rcravey]

I would let them out to free range close to dark, watch them with a good squirt gun to break up things, but I wouldn’t expect too much problems.

For better response, answer FrostRanger’s question as he covered the big issues.

Thank you so much!

 

[FrostRanger]

A total of 14 birds - 8 that are 4yo and 6 that are 4mo.
Our coop is 10'x8' and the runs are 12'x16' and 8'x8'
Thank you for the cockerel vs rooster explanation. That explains why I had trouble finding an answer from previous forum posts since I was searching rooster rather than cockerel.
Very good to know about your fourth point!
We have thought about not opening up the run where the younger birds are now (the one that is 8x8) so that if we needed to keep the roosters separated we could.
Thank you so much!

12 females isn't a lot for 2 boys to share. It's possible that it'll work out but you're more likely to run into issues with the boys fighting or overbreeding the girls. The general rule of thumb is 10 females for every male. No, that doesn't guaranteed that you won't have issues as we're dealing with living animals but it's a good starting point. You can try it and see how things go, but I'd consider rehoming one of the boys.
I agree starting with free ranging them together would be best. If all goes well, you can put them in the big girls' run. There will be some pecking, but how it should go is someone got to close to an older bird, older bird pecks, younger runs away and that's the end of it. Chasing should be minimal

I would let them out to free range close to dark, watch them with a good squirt gun to break up things, but I wouldn’t expect too much problems.

For better response, answer FrostRanger’s question as he covered the big issues.

I am a she lol

 

[rcravey]

12 females isn't a lot for 2 boys to share. It's possible that it'll work out but you're more likely to run into issues with the boys fighting or overbreeding the girls. The general rule of thumb is 10 females for every male. No, that doesn't guaranteed that you won't have issues as we're dealing with living animals but it's a good starting point. You can try it and see how things go, but I'd consider rehoming one of the boys.

Thank you for the advice - I really appreciate it. It hurts to consider rehoming one of the boys because they are both such friendly little guy's. But, I understand what you are saying, they are young now. Thanks again!

 

[Mrs. K]

You have ample space, that is good. Do look up clutter in the run. It really helps make use of the 3 dimension, the vertical space, and it lets birds get away from each other and out of sight of each other.

I agree, 2 cockerels is too much, says the lady that right now has 3 cockerels and a mature rooster. I am not saying it won't work, but a good rule of thumb is the more you have, the more trouble you get. They are in the darling phase, enjoy that. We all do, that is what I am doing right now too.

Make plans for the ugly stage. I will get my flock down to one rooster/cockerel by October. I have a plan. You need a plan, because it really can be ugly in what seems like a minute. Also, if you have children, they tend to attack children first. If they are under 6 years of age, be very, very careful. Kids can take an attack in the face.

As for your set up, I think I would open up the 8x8, I am taking that it is attached to the other pen? But I would do so, so that if I needed to make it back into two pens, I could. A handy thing to have.

I would let them all out to free range late in the afternoon, while I opened up the fence between them. They will naturally just come back to the coop/run, and I would expect them to sleep where they have been. You hens are not many weeks off of laying, and when they start laying, they will no longer be two flocks. It is kind of neat, but all of a sudden, the two flocks just merge.

At that time, I would expect some of them to go into the big girls coop. At that time I would close off the little coop and everyone will more than likely go in the big coop. Check near dark, and toss any stubborn ones.

 

[rcravey]

You have ample space, that is good. Do look up clutter in the run. It really helps make use of the 3 dimension, the vertical space, and it lets birds get away from each other and out of sight of each other.

I agree, 2 cockerels is too much, says the lady that right now has 3 cockerels and a mature rooster. I am not saying it won't work, but a good rule of thumb is the more you have, the more trouble you get. They are in the darling phase, enjoy that. We all do, that is what I am doing right now too.

Make plans for the ugly stage. I will get my flock down to one rooster/cockerel by October. I have a plan. You need a plan, because it really can be ugly in what seems like a minute. Also, if you have children, they tend to attack children first. If they are under 6 years of age, be very, very careful. Kids can take an attack in the face.

As for your set up, I think I would open up the 8x8, I am taking that it is attached to the other pen? But I would do so, so that if I needed to make it back into two pens, I could. A handy thing to have.

I would let them all out to free range late in the afternoon, while I opened up the fence between them. They will naturally just come back to the coop/run, and I would expect them to sleep where they have been. You hens are not many weeks off of laying, and when they start laying, they will no longer be two flocks. It is kind of neat, but all of a sudden, the two flocks just merge.

At that time, I would expect some of them to go into the big girls coop. At that time I would close off the little coop and everyone will more than likely go in the big coop. Check near dark, and toss any stubborn one

Thank you for the advice. We do have grandchildren, all under 3yo, and when I realized I had roosters, my grandchildren were my first thought. I like how you described the darling stage and I understand it can get bad quickly. From now on, I'm only going to get chicks that are old enough for me to know they aren't roosters.

 

[rcravey]

Here's my problem...the big girls refuse to come out and free range. I have tried evening after evening to leave the door wide open but they absolutely refuse to come out. I tried putting one of the little one's in with them (I stayed in there with her) but she wanted out within seconds.

Please tell me if this is a bad idea - Open all of the doors to the coops and put the little one's in the coop with the big girls. This would give everyone the chance to leave if they wanted. I would do this close to bedtime. I just don't know what to do. Advice is much appreciated.