Introducing new rooster

[Cal Chickens]

I got a new rooster the same age as my flock. I have heard it is necessary to quarantine new animals for 4 weeks before adding new animals to the flock. Is this really necessary. I really have no way to do this. And how what steps should I take when introducing him to my hen's. I have no rooster's. He is in the shed with my kids toys he is in the open window starring through the screen.

 

[Mrs. K]

Quarantine is VERY necessary if you have a valuable flock, or a large flock in which case losing the flock would be very expensive. Many people think they are quarantining simply by keeping the birds out of the same pen, but to prevent the transmission of disease, one needs more space than is typical in the back yard.

However, you are taking a risk that you could infect your whole flock with a disease. Personally, I have a flock that is about 12 hens +/- a few, and I do not ever quarantine. I don't have the set up for it. I take a darn good look at what I am introducing, and the birds of the flock that the birds came from. Do NOT Ever take birds that you feel sorry for...... that is a wreck waiting to happen, but for the most part, sick birds look sick. Yes, they can be just coming down with something, but not generally.

I would be very wary of birds of a flock that were often taken to a show, and I would not get a bird at an auction, both places where birds comingle and could definitely pick something up and give it to your whole flock. People have had that happen with out careful quarantine. However, if you saw where the bird came from, and the set up was reasonably well taken care of, and it will not put you into a mental decline if you lose some birds, then I would not bother with the quarantine.

*Note: if the bird has just been separated from the other birds by just a screen or a wire barrier, you have already shared the germs and it is too late to quarantine.

Mrs K

 

[Cal Chickens]

Thank you. I have about 18 hens and also do not have a set up for quarantine. The flock he came from is immaculate, very clean and healthy his coop set up was nicer than mine. He got the rooster by accident from the same hatchery my hens came from what is the best way to introduce to my hens?

 

[Mrs. K]

Throw him in there. There will be posturing, some chest bumping, some of the hens will be horrified, and look at you, "THis is what you are adding??" Adding any bird upsets the flock, but adding a single rooster is one of the easiest adds, if there is not an established rooster in the flock. This might go on for about 24 hours, and then they will all be smitten, and if he is a good rooster you will be too.

Now roosters are a crap shoot. Things to beware of, if you have not had roosters before, is if the rooster pufffs up, raises his hackles when you come around. Or, if he crows incessantly when you are in the coup..... those are bad signs that he is thinking he should be the boss of you too. Be very careful if you have small children under the age of 5...... roosters will attack them first, almost always.

A good rooster, and they are out there, should kind of sing to his girls, he should find them treats (sometimes they are imaginary, he calls them over, and they come running) He will do a wing dance, where he stretches out a wing and kind of stutter steps around. However, roosters don't really become good roosters till they get to be a year old. Teen age roosters can be all for the perks of the job, none of the responsibilities. A good rooster is very aware of his surroundings, and if you have day time predators, he will dramatically reduce those incidents, but again, not until he is a year old.

Good Luck,

Mrs K

 

[donrae]

x2 to Mrs K's posts. Put him in, maybe at night. They'll sort it out.

 

[Cal Chickens]

Put him in and it took no time at all. The hens started pecking at his comb and beard. He made it more than clear he was not going to be picked on. Within an hour or so it was as if he was raised with them. Thank goodness he is a sweet rooster. My 7 year old daughter can walk up to him with no repercussions. Thanks for all the help.