need quick help regarding adding a rooster to a flock

[Smeamers]

I normally would do all the research first, but a friend called and needs to relocate her rooster asap. They live in the city and already have the cops and city attorney on them about their chickens even though they're legal. One of their pullets turned out to be a roo and they've been trying to find it a new home. It started crowing today and they had to lock it in their garage. I told her she could bring it over and I could at least be a temporary home if not a permanent one. He's been hand raised by her kids and so far is a very nice boy. I have 14 laying hens that hatched this spring. I know I have to introduce the new rooster gradually, but I'm wondering what that would look like and how long it should take. She's going to be here in a few hours, yipe! My hens are in a run so I can always let him free range a bit while I figure this out. Thanks!

 

[SallyF]

I introduced two roosters to my small flock. The roos were younger than the hens but were about the same size. The hens (4H black sex-links) were almost 2 yo. Had no problems at all. The roos are buff rocks and are very nice boys. I kept the roos in the run for about a week so they would know it was "home". They started right out finding food for the hens and herding them back to the run after free range time. It worked well for me.

 

[Judy]

I have two flocks, one fenced and one free range, and have added a roo to the free range flock from the fenced flock several times. Just set him down near the hens and walked away. Never any conflict.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Always best to quarantine for 30 day any new birds that are coming into your flock to make sure they aren't carrying any diseases. Far away from your existing flock! Then you can add him without problems.

 

[PortageGirl]

Yeah, adding a roo is pretty different than adding hens. The roo will be at a disadvantage because he's new, but a roo is always likely to be a bit higher on the dominance scale simply because he's a roo.

Yes, you should isolate, which means they shouldn't share the same air even. Leaving home, traveling and arriving in a new place will stress a chicken, and if there are any underlying illnesses, they should pop up now as well as making the n00b susceptible to anything the resident flock may be carrying unbeknownst to you. 30 days is the norm, 2 weeks the bare minimum. Have people skipped this step? Sure, years ago it never entered people’s minds to do it, but now that it’s understood, it’s best if you can do it.

 

[Shannon's Chix]

After quarantine, I threw (not literally) a 18 week old BR roo in with 2 hens and 4 pullets. He did pretty well, my top hen was mean to him but...she still is.

Right now he's coming into his maturity and driving me (and the girls) crazy with his eagerness to love...I just had to order a bunch of chicken saddles. But he blended well, he's standoffish but not mean so we'll see how it goes...good luck!

 

[Smeamers]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My friend just dropped him off. I moved my (empty) meat bird hoop house onto fresh grass where he and the hens can see each other. It is half tarped so he has weather shelter and we'll add a roost for him when my husband gets home. I think he'll be quite comfortable there for his quarantine. He sure is pretty.