Introducing new Roos to a flock with a roo already there? Also do you mix tophats with regular hens?

[ldutch123]

I have some 14'week old easter eggers and 2 of them are Roos. Well I already had to separate one of the Roos because he wAs attacking his brother. So I have the less aggressive roo in seg with the 4 EE girls and they are in the coop with my 35 laying girls all mixed breeds and 1 tophat roo. He loves those girls. So I need advice....do I introduce the EE roo to my girls and floyd(tophat roo) ? Is it a bad idea to have more than one roo.? Floyd is kind of a wuss and the girls peck his head. I don't know if he will defend himself with a boy or not?

Any suggestions on this matter would be helpful. They free range about 3 acres and many places to hide and Floyd is a really good flyer.

 

[sourland]

Well, you have already discovered what the jealous biddies tend to do to crested birds. It happens quite frequently in mixed flocks. Give the integration a try. If it does not work, just get rid of the EE if the Polish is your favorite.

 

[ldutch123]

Right now Floyd is older by about a year does this give him any advantage?

 

[sourland]

His age and maturity plus the psychological factor of being flock master does give him the initial advantage.

 

[ldutch123]

Ok good. I figured there will be 40 girls and 2 Roos I would hope they can get along. I kind of wanted some fertile eggs and I don't think Floyd actually fertilizes them because he isn't as big as those girls. He seems to struggle a bit do you have several roosters by chance and if so how did u integrate them?

 

[sourland]

With my last roosters the chicks were raised in a free range situation by broody hens and grew up respecting/fearing the flock masters. The pecking order being what it is, there would be periodic scuffles/wars as young birds tried to improve their position.

 

[ldutch123]

All advice is appreciated if anyone has suggestions

 

[Den in Penn]

With your female to male ratio, the space you described, I'd put them together. Many roosters have gotten along in worse situations. A well used phrase comes to mind. You don't know until you try.