Introducing pullets to an existing flock with a rooster

[LadyLoki]

Hi everyone this is going on year 2 now for us with chickens. We started with just chickens and well then came the ducks. Now we have a rooster. The girls (laying hens) took to Gary right away. Hes very confused as to why ducks are apart of his flock but he watches them and herds them to bed too. Hes a good boy. We haven't had him very long so I'm not sure how introductions are going to go. We attempted to introduce 4 pullets this past fall and were semi successful. The big girls took the the littles ok. They were still trying to reestablish pecking order when we lost them to a raccoon attack. So this is our 1st real go around with introductions as the last time we didn't get to finish that process. Last time we didn't have the rooster, Gary, to worry about. Now we do. Anyone have any tips or tricks about introductions? Anything to keep a close eye on? Gary is sexually mature and mating our laying hens. Currently the pullets are still chicks so we have time yet. But not much as they're 6-7 weeks old. Lasttime we put the littles in a grow up pen for about 2 so they could see and smell the bigger girls but the big girls couldn't hurt them. Thanks in advance.

 

[-Clementine-]

Depending on his temperament, you should integrate them normally, with the see but no touch for a few weeks. It is very common for roosters to attack, or harshly peck, new hens/pullets, it should resolve though. If your rooster just refuses to accept them then you might consider taking him out to mess with the pecking order, or put the pullets back in the see but no touch pen for a while longer. If you are worried about your rooster mounting the younger pullets and hurting them, consider waiting until the pullets are bigger so he doesn't/can't hurt them.

 

[DucksAreBest]

Hello, welcome to BackYard Chickens. Thank you for joining our community.

 

[the_peanut_coop]

Hi! welcome to BYC! Hope your experience is fun and informational! Have a great day!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! My rooster will run the younger pullets away from food until the older hens eat. After that he will ignore them. But when they lay their first eggs he's like an old fool chasing skirts. Lol.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
My rooster doesn't bother with the pullets until they reach sexual maturity. He lets the hens take care of the pecking order.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Community!

Best Wishes & Be Well!
My roosters have left the chicks and pullets alone, letting mama do her thing. Once they reach maturity, the roosters notice!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard Chickens, you are very welcome here.

 

[swampfox440]