Need a roo, how old should he be?

[kaitlyn_rae2003]

I want to have a rooster, with my flock, for all the usual reasons PLUS I love love love a barred rock roo. my girls range in age from 10-15 weeks, what age should the roo be? close to the same? I found a beauty of a guy, but he is over a year old, im not sure my hens could take him at this point...should I get a younger one? Thanks
kate

 

[Matt A NC]

If you want to put a Roo with them now then I would go with the one that is the same age as your youngest girls or maybe a little younger.

Roos mature faster then girls and will start trying to mate them before they are ready. A sexually aggresive roo can hurt younger ones.

Matt