Need to add a rooster

[likepuppy14]

I had a rooster that was killed by a fox approximately 6 weeks ago. I had just hatched some chicks so figured one would most likely be a rooster and I would keep him as replacement. Unfortunately, that little cockerel was killed by a fox yesterday. We are fixing the fox issue by enlarging our run and no longer free ranging. I'd like to add another rooster but I'm not sure what age to look for. My current flock consists of 6 hens and 1 8-week pullet. Should I get a mature rooster or should I get a young one closer to my pullet's age? If I get a mature rooster will he hurt the young pullet? She's been in with the hens since about 5ish weeks old.

 

[nuthatched]

Get as young as you can so the hens can raise him.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Don’t get an older rooster with pullets. He should be younger than the pullets

 

[likepuppy14]

By getting a young rooster and letting the hens raise him, will they still allow him to mount them once he reaches maturity?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

By getting a young rooster and letting the hens raise him, will they still allow him to mount them once he reaches maturity?

If he listens and learns from them.

 

[likepuppy14]

Anytime I’ve added new pullets to my flock I’ve always gotten 3 or 4 at a time. Should I do the same when getting a cockerel? Maybe get a couple pullets from the same farm? Or can I seek out just a single cockerel?

My first rooster came with three pullets (we actually thought all 4 were pullets because he was a silkie and a late bloomer) and those three were definitely his favorites. I’m not sure I ever saw him mount my older hens. I really don’t want a repeat of that situation.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would wait until the pullets are laying. Then I would look for a rooster about a year old, raised in a multi generational flock, who is so nice that he wasn’t culled by someone who would have culled him if he wasn’t.

Contact people in 4-h, local poultry clubs, check at the feed store bulletin board -all great places to get a good rooster.