Introducing rooster to the flock

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I have a lovely young rooster that's been living in the chicken tractor, but I need his digs for my new pullets soon. I was thinking of letting him out into the flock. There are 25 hens.

He was out for an hour once, and the feathers were flying! Hens I would have pegged as submissive and quiet and low on the pecking order were running up to him to attack, and he was fighting back. I was concerned about not being the "top rooster," so I broke up the fights to show I was boss. Then he went back into the chicken tractor, where he's stayed.

Now I'm thinking that maybe if I let him out and get the fighting over with, it might be better and I'll have my chicken tractor back. I have also thought of filing his nails so he can't do as much damage.

What's the best way to go about this?

Erika

 

[katrinag]

I would let them be unless it gets really out of hand.

 

[morelcabin]

Put him in at night, they'll think he was always there in the morning:>) and if they have some suspicion, it'll be dealt with by the time you wake up:>)

 

[gritsar]

If there's nobody drawing blood, best to let them sort it all out IMO. He'll get picked on by the hens at first. It'll be up to him to prove he's worthy of being a leader.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Thanks! That worked beautifully. We put him on a perch in the coop last night after everyone was sleeping, and this morning he popped out with the flock and there were only a couple of minor scuffles. Tonight he's sleeping in the top center position. All hail the king!

 

[lovemychickies]

Yay! So glad to hear that it worked! I'm just about to be in the same position so thank you for the advice!

 

[cherokeechick33]

"All Hail King Roo!"

Good Luck with your flock