Naughty Randal

[boxxofrox]

I found great success with getting 2 Roos at a time, preferably established flock mates as they spar less. That way if one doesn't work out, you still have the other. That's how I got Reggie. I had him and his brother Sterling, and Sterling chest-bumped my daughter and was out the door.

I've found that my hens are just as watchful as my roosters. Actually my head hen is far more fierce and braver than my roo. They kind of have to be as there's been times when we don't had a roo because we rehomed them and we're in between roosters.

If you're not sure who is who in the pecking order, you could just get 2 of the most docile ones and keep them together for a few weeks. Expect squabbling when you reintroduce them, but they should all settle down in a few days.

If some hens are persistently aggressive, I separate the aggressors for a few weeks to knock them down a few pegs in the pecking order and give the new birds time to get established. This works really well.

Letting them see each other is a great idea. After quarantine I pen mine in the main coop so they see each other regularly.

Thank you so much for the advice! I was thinking to use my big dog crate in the run during the day and then with 2 of the most docile girls in the evening/night. I guess I will try again in the spring with 2 roos and see what happens. I am getting good at culling and processing roos at this point haha. Thank you again!!!

 

[theuglychick]

You're welcome! Best of luck!

Thank you so much for the advice! I was thinking to use my big dog crate in the run during the day and then with 2 of the most docile girls in the evening/night. I guess I will try again in the spring with 2 roos and see what happens. I am getting good at culling and processing roos at this point haha. Thank you again!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Randal needs to go away. Totally not acceptable to have a human aggressive cockerel, especially with kids.

 

[Chickassan]

If you didn't have kids I might suggest trying to work with Randal but you do and all the stuff he's doing takes some time to correct or run its course and there's always the chance that it never really will. You need a 100 percent good boy if you're going to have one they do exist you've just got to do some looking and research. Maybe go for a generally more docile breed, the faverolles cockrel here has never attempted to challenge anyone and is docile enough for a toddler to pick up and hug yet he still handles his chicken duties.

 

[sourland]

@boxxofrox , excellent decision. Kids must come first.

 

[boxxofrox]

So a homesteader friend of mine offered to take Randal; she has no kids and plenty of hens for him. She offered me her 2 year old Welsummer roo as a trade and says he very docile and has never been agreesive towards any children or adults. I'm thinking I will get Randal out and try to introduce the 10 week olds in and THEN think about the Welsummer roo? What's the best way to go about all these changes? I really appreciate all the help from all of you; I realize I'm very green here. I've read everything I can get my hands on but experiences of others helps a ton! I have beef cattle and horses and feel confident; but these chickens are more involved than I gave it credit for (but I do LOVE it!)

 

[theuglychick]

After quarantining, Id let your friend throw Randall to the older hens and let them have their way with him, lol.

I'd quarantine new Welsummer guy, then let him hang out in sight of your birds but keep him separate, maybe a separate run or pen. Once they look like they're wanting to integrate peacefully, is say it'll be ok to let them mingle.

 

[boxxofrox]

After quarantining, Id let your friend throw Randall to the older hens and let them have their way with him, lol.

I'd quarantine new Welsummer guy, then let him hang out in sight of your birds but keep him separate, maybe a separate run or pen. Once they look like they're wanting to integrate peacefully, is say it'll be ok to let them mingle.

So maybe rid of Randall; and integrate the 10 week Brahamas while new guy is in quarantine?! Thanks; you are the BEST!

 

[theuglychick]

Sorry, let me clarify, I would quarantine new guy away from 10 week olds first.

Out of sight and out of contact because older birds can have germs that newer birds haven't built up immunity to.

Isolation in quarantine is usually stressful enough to bring out some of the diseases they can be hiding and gives you an idea if the bird is healthy or not.

I quarantine my adult birds in isolation for about 2 weeks. While there I dust for mites and deworm while waiting for anything to show up. If mites and worms are not an issue for you, you can skip that part.

If all clear after 2 weeks then I start integrating, first with just visual contact but physically separated, then if they're getting along after a week or so of visual contact, I'll let them mingle.

 

[boxxofrox]

Sorry, let me clarify, I would quarantine new guy away from 10 week olds first.

Out of sight and out of contact because older birds can have germs that newer birds haven't built up immunity to.

Isolation in quarantine is usually stressful enough to bring out some of the diseases they can be hiding and gives you an idea if the bird is healthy or not.

I quarantine my adult birds in isolation for about 2 weeks. While there I dust for mites and deworm while waiting for anything to show up. If mites and worms are not an issue for you, you can skip that part.

If all clear after 2 weeks then I start integrating, first with just visual contact but physically separated, then if they're getting along after a week or so of visual contact, I'll let them mingle.

Yes, sorry! I meant after randal is gone, integrate the 10 weekers to my flock while the new roo is in quarantine by himself for a few weeks. That way the new babies are in with the hens for a few weeks before the new roo arrives. Thank you for the info!