Introducing Rooster to Flock of Hens

[Steph Martin]

Hi all. I've researched this topic a bit but I still have a few questions. I have five mature hens but no Roo. These ladies are all mutts but a pretty good size all in all. The rooster I've found is a Silkie so he is a bit smaller than the girls. Will this difference make a "difference"? Also, I've read a couple of conflicting replies to this query. Do I just put him in the coop and watch. Do I integrate slowly (ie: put him in a wire dog crate and place that in the coop).

It seems that, as with all things that are once again "new" or "in vogue" we all obsess a bit too much over the smallest detail -- I am a poster child for that. They don't call Ignorance "Bliss"

for nothing. I'd appreciate any info you guys have.

 

[heather112588]

introduce him slowly...put him in a dog crate and then in the pen that way they will check him out first but can't hurt him. leave him there for a few hours before you release him...there will still be pecking order fights but they will not be as bad. I hav done this with all of my new chickens and it seems to help.