New chicken owner-need advice

[Nancyloveschickens]

Good morning!! I’m in Florida, have 14 chicks, about 6-8 weeks old, living inside, getting their feathers in, doing great.. my bf rescued a 6 mo old rooster yesterday. I guess we wanted one to guard the girls once they’re outside.. the rooster is outside in the large coop getting adjusted..
my question is, once the girls go out, what’s the best way to introduce them? Their size is vastly different, I’m not sure what behavior from him to expect when they meet.. also, we were told the rooster was sweet and he seemed to be, but when my bf was working on predator proofing the coop yesterday the rooster attacked him.. the owner was a woman. Not sure if it’s because he doesn’t like men, if bf scared him with the noise hammering?? Now I’m kinda afraid of him.. he was relentless.. advice? Any idea what kind he is?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
He's gorgeous.
You will need to keep your cockerel away from the chicks until they start to squat for him or start to lay. He will be ready to mate way before they are.
You also should already have those chicks out in the coop. You are in FL! They should have been raised out in the coop.
You will have to figure out a way to isolate him from them but still have him in a safe, predator proof enclosure.
BTW - cockerels/roosters can only protect pullets/hens from other roosters! They can sound an alarm call and give the girls a chance to get to cover to evade predation but that is about it.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
Maybe the woman that owned him before got rid of him b/c he was aggressive....??
if there are any children in your family, an aggressive roo is a NO-G0!
Best wishes and Be well!!!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Good link to read before building a coop / run - Space requirements
• Hook up with other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below.
• Hatching / Chick-care

Any questions that you may have regarding your chicks will be best posted here - Raising baby chicks forum

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Welcome to BYC beautiful rooster!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hello and welcome to BYC! I agree, your wee ones should be outside. I have no idea what breed your cockerel is, but he is pretty.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Your rooster may be a red sex link. It is possible that the noise/confusion of the construction agitated him, but I would watch him closely. If you have children, I would suggest that he should leave.

 

[drumstick diva]

Agree with sourland. Roosters are especially dangerous to children because they are closer to the ground and likely to be spurred or pecked in face/ eyes.