I have a 5 month old Silkie roo who has been penned up in an area in sight of 4 mature Silkies hens and one Silkie pullet, for 3 months. This is my first time having a roo and although I've had chickens for years... having a roo for the first time has put me on strange territory. It's probably time to formally introduce him to the flock, but quite honestly I'm afraid... and not sure exactly how to do this. The hens roam about an acre, and return to the coop at dusk. Question: Should I just open the roo's pen door for the first time in the morning when I let the hens out, or put him with the hens in a 10ft X10 ft coop at night? My Silkie hens are extremely docile, often broody, and show very little (if any) signs of a pecking order.
Another concern: I need to handle this roo in order to check and adjust his No-Crow rooster collar weekly, so will he go to the coop at night just as the hens? Are roosters doormats at night same as hens? I'm a little worried to set him free and not be able to ever catch him again, mostly because of him wearing that collar. He is pretty nice, but I must admit, I had to introduce him to my boot before I got any respect. Any suggestions or advice on introducing this roo to my hens is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
Another concern: I need to handle this roo in order to check and adjust his No-Crow rooster collar weekly, so will he go to the coop at night just as the hens? Are roosters doormats at night same as hens? I'm a little worried to set him free and not be able to ever catch him again, mostly because of him wearing that collar. He is pretty nice, but I must admit, I had to introduce him to my boot before I got any respect. Any suggestions or advice on introducing this roo to my hens is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
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