Is this going to work? - adding new pullets

[AnachainAcres]

Hello everyone!

I have a bit of a dilemma. I have three leghorns (2 hens and roo) that are around a year and half to two years. These guys did not "grow up" together and were all introduced separately. They have been together for about 2 months. They all get along fine.

I wanted to add to the flock as two hens per roo just doesn't seem like enough. I had the opportunity to add two more pullets that are about 5 months old. They were introduced through a fence and not put together and all was fine. Same with them on neutral ground in the yard. All this over 3-4 weeks.

My problem now is if those pullets go anywhere near the coop my rooster attacks them quite aggressively. I picked one up and walked past the coop and he barreled over to us and went straight for the pullet in my arms. The pullets are now with my EE for their safety but their coop is too small to keep them all in overnight. I have been carrying them back to the barn and keeping them contained in an extra large dog kennel over night. Is their anything I can do to get him to accept them?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello everyone!

I have a bit of a dilemma. I have three leghorns (2 hens and roo) that are around a year and half to two years. These guys did not "grow up" together and were all introduced separately. They have been together for about 2 months. They all get along fine.

I wanted to add to the flock as two hens per roo just doesn't seem like enough. I had the opportunity to add two more pullets that are about 5 months old. They were introduced through a fence and not put together and all was fine. Same with them on neutral ground in the yard. All this over 3-4 weeks.

My problem now is if those pullets go anywhere near the coop my rooster attacks them quite aggressively. I picked one up and walked past the coop and he barreled over to us and went straight for the pullet in my arms. The pullets are now with my EE for their safety but their coop is too small to keep them all in overnight. I have been carrying them back to the barn and keeping them contained in an extra large dog kennel over night. Is their anything I can do to get him to accept them?

How large is the coop you want them in?
I would crate the rooster in the coop/run with his two hens and integrate the pullets with him separated but able to watch. Leave him in the crate while the 4 girls work on integration. If the hens let the pullets in, move his crate into the coop with the girls each night then back out to the run. Once (if) the 4 girls are going to roost together for at least a week, take him out of the crate at night and place him on the roost with the girls and take the crate out of the coop. Be out there just before dawn to observe and see how he behaves then.

 

[AnachainAcres]

ok thanks I will give that a try. The coop is 13'x5' with 8 nest boxes and 5 roosts. The outdoor run is about 20x20. Most of the time the door is open and they free range. My EE are near the barn a good ways away contained in their run and coop and the leghorns "visit" and no issues through the fence towards the new pullets or even my EE roo. I will separate him for awhile and work on introducing just the hens before adding him back into the mix

 

[Aapomp831]

You have a disrespectful rooster. He should be dealt with also - it’s not acceptable for him to act that way especially if you’re holding the pullet he wants to attack. I would anticipate more problems in the future unless you get rid of him.

 

[AnachainAcres]

These guys are all SPCA rescues. All strays/abandoned in different areas. If need be he will get his own coop and run but he will have a forever home here. I know they can be dangerous if not managed correctly but arrangements can be made for safer handling if that needs to be done. In the mean time I am going to do what I can to integrate them together

 

[Chickenclaude]

Oh my. Sure is nice of you to try. Unruly roosters can injure you ..give him a chance if you feel you should but isolate him..please don’t wait
until he kills another ro or injures a person.