I was wondering how I would go about introducing a rooster to my flock? We currently do not have any roosters but I do have 13 hens all different breeds and I am looking to get a rooster from one of the neighboring farms but I have no idea how to go about introducing him to my flock. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you Chelsea
I hope the rooster isn't too much smaller than the hens? We raised two Ameraucana males apart from the girls, and when we introduced them to the older hens, most of the Ameraucana hens puffed like a rooster and fought with the poor young roos! I mean, I always thought those hens (just started laying this autumn) were sweet! The girls were probably just making sure the roos weren't wimpy. That was some weeks ago and now the one roo is getting along with the hens quite amiably. The other one finds it safer to stay in the duck pen. (He was raised with ducks. ) I would watch your hens when you introduce him so they don't trounce him. You could try adding him at night.
I would first quarantine the new roo for 30 days, away from your flock (not breathing the same air). This is important no matter how much you trust the source to be clear of disease. After his quarantine period, add him at night after all the girls have gone to roost. The next morning be out there to watch. He's going to try to mate the hens, that's his job and it's not pretty. Things can get rough. It'll appear that the squabbles are serious. He'll either man up and take control of the hens or they will give him a pretty bad time; especially if he's still young. If there's no blood being drawn, they'll work it out amongst themselves.
