Mean Chickens!! - Introducing New Roosters to the Hens.

[Beekissed]

You could try slipping them onto the roost with the hens in the cover of darkness. I've heard other folks say this is a good way to introduce a new bird to the flock. Seems that, after sleeping together all night, they don't get so territorial.

I introduced a new roo back in the late summer/early fall and he is still getting picked on by my older rooster...who is 1/3 his size! Not as bad as at first, but still establishing dominance every day. They will get a pecking order soon, I'm sure!

 

[ella]

Aw poor little guys

I feel for them, girls can be so mean!

Way back when, I tried to introduce a 6 month old EE cockerel to my 26 hens. They whooped his butt! For three months he was an outcast, sleeping in a different building and free ranging outside the fence. But he finally did grow up and take over.

I think you did the right thing seperating them. In a confined environment those hens could sure seriously injure them. Give 'em time. They'll grow up and figure it out.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Glad it's going well for you thus far. I'll bet that RIR was thinking, oh ****! guess I'm not gonna get away with that anymore!

I enjoy watching my hens, but I adored watching my young cockerels develop into proud roos.

 

[cajunlizz]

with 8 pullets , you DO NOT need more than 1 rooster

 

[ella]

Thank you for that Cajun liz you've made that comment more than once. I'm sure the OP can read, as she's a member here.

More than one rooster with 8 hens can cause a problem but as the hens are attacking the roosters I don't think that will be the case.

I have 4 roosters in with 13 hens right now and all are fine. The 'rule' of 1 rooster to 8 hens is not set in stone, it's a guideline. Many people have breeding trio's or even pairs. That is one hen and one rooster without problems.

 

[turtle1173]

Well, I am a "he" but that's OK

Originally I was only going to keep one boy but after having my silkie rooster instantly killed by a hawk, I may keep both (just in case).

I've been waiting to see how these two develop. One is noticably larger than the other, even though they were born one day apart. They are brothers in the true sense.

At this point, however, they get very upset when they are separated. When I have them out in the yard, even for the small amount of time it takes me to pick up one and take him to the brooder in the shed, the other one will be calling out for the other. It is funny, cute and makes me appreciate their closeness at this point. I know that may change later but I'll worry about that then.

BTW, thanks for everyone's input on all this. I plan to continue to update this post as the transition continues.

Shane

 

[ella]

Awww I think I just had a merlot moment, well, techinically cabernet but yeah... sorry!

 

[silkiechicken]

At 11 weeks, they probably don't know how to put their egos up front yet and show the ladies who's boss. They all develop at different rates and so you'll have to give them time. I've had some roosters some how manage to woo the ladies as early as 4 months old, but others who would slam their heads in submission into any corner possible when a top hen walked by and they were 6 months old.

If they are the same size, they can probably physically but not mentally defend. You could just keep them together and in a few weeks they will have their place, just might take a bit longer for the boys to "man up" and take lead.

 

[turtle1173]

Well here I am at 17 weeks now for these roosters. They are still running away like little girls when I let them mingle with the hens. If I keep them separated with the fence, the bigger rooster is much more bold. He will "eye down" a couple of the hens, fluff his neck out, and even jump up like he's going to attack. When some of the other hens are close, he backs off and keeps his distance. But when the fence comes down and they are together with the hens, they both take off to the other side of the run.

By the way, they are all in a 40' x 25' run, so there's plenty of room.

Also, both roosters are crowing now. The big one especially. He's come a long way, LOL. The smaller one crows about an octave higher than the big one, LOL. It's real funny.

Any more advice? How long do you think it will be before they stand up for themselves? I can't hardly wait for my NHR hen to be put in her place. She is so mean to them.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[turtle1173]

Well, I've kept the Welsummer roos out in the main pen for the last 3 days. Things are going tolerably well. Yes, they are still scared but it doesn't seem like the hens are "crazily" going after them. The welsummers are staying out of the hens way though.

I am "manually" putting the roos in the coop at night with the hens. I put a bale of hay in the coop a few weeks back, which is working out to the roos advantage. It gives them something to get behind and hide if the girls get too mean.

The first day, the welsummers didn't come out of the coop on their own. I finally brought them out around noon. Yesterday when I went out at noon to bring them out, they were already out. So I was glad about that. Of course, the girls go back into the coop to lay their eggs, so they probably ran the roos out of there, LOL.

I think the big welsummer has learned that his crowing has a little bit of an effect on the hens. He has become much more vocal and that seems to back the hens up a little.

The roos still can't stand to be separated. Even just to put one in the coop at a time. The big one sounds like a goose "honking" at me when I pick the smaller one up.

Anway, I am glad to have them out of the shed and I look forward to things continuing to get better as they develop and mature more.

I will continue to keep this post updated until their is harmony in the flock

Shane