AaronH
Hatching
Hi folks, I'm new to this forum and new to raising chickens too. I started my flock about 4 weeks ago. I was given 4 adult hens and a rooster. Two days in, the rooster got out, was chased by our dog, and refused to return. He was at the edge of our property, where he crowed every morning. I don't know where he roosted at night. He survived a terrible storm and who knows what else but wouldn't come back. We were told he wouldn't come back since he was traumatized and lost his tail feathers running from the dog.
After he was gone about a week,we got another rooster, who we kept in a dog kennel. The hens adored him right away, and we introduced him to them within a week. He'd been low in the pecking order at his previous home but immediately puffed up with pride amongst our hens.
After the first rooster's escape, I enclosed an area with 3-foot chicken wire, knowing they could hop out if they were so inclined. The fence has helped keep the dogs away and the chickens feeling safe.
Last night, the original rooster came steering around the run out of nowhere! The new rooster kept patrolling the run, flapping wings and kicking the ground. Eventually, the original rooster flew atop the gate and directly into the coop.
I'm worried about the pecking order and fighting. I'm also wondering if the original rooster could have contacted any diseases while roaming for 3 weeks. There are only four hens for two roosters too, which could be a problem. The coop and run are large enough for about 12 chickens.
Does anyone have any advice? (None of the chickens want to be handled and peck at me when I try.)
Thanks,
Aaron
After he was gone about a week,we got another rooster, who we kept in a dog kennel. The hens adored him right away, and we introduced him to them within a week. He'd been low in the pecking order at his previous home but immediately puffed up with pride amongst our hens.
After the first rooster's escape, I enclosed an area with 3-foot chicken wire, knowing they could hop out if they were so inclined. The fence has helped keep the dogs away and the chickens feeling safe.
Last night, the original rooster came steering around the run out of nowhere! The new rooster kept patrolling the run, flapping wings and kicking the ground. Eventually, the original rooster flew atop the gate and directly into the coop.
I'm worried about the pecking order and fighting. I'm also wondering if the original rooster could have contacted any diseases while roaming for 3 weeks. There are only four hens for two roosters too, which could be a problem. The coop and run are large enough for about 12 chickens.
Does anyone have any advice? (None of the chickens want to be handled and peck at me when I try.)
Thanks,
Aaron