New Cockrel and few questions

[cluckfan]

I have a new Orpington Cockrel to add to my flock of Orpington Hens. Currently he is three months old and quite large. He is as tall as the mature hens but of course does not have the weight yet. He has gone through an isolation period and now is in a pen next to the main coop, where they can see each other. I handle him daily(pick him up) and hand feed him treats, in an attempt to make him people friendly. When will it be ok to move him in to the main coop? When will he be able to breed? I have 10 hens and intend on having just the one roo. He is a Disney bird and looks like he will be really nice. Thanks!

 

[groundpecker]

It appears you have introduced the new male the correct way to your flock. If he is about the same size as the females, you can go ahead and let him enter the pen with the hens. They may pick on him until he establishes dominance or his place in the flock.

He should start to dance and mount around 4-6 months. This is when my hatchery orp males start to mate.

 

[cluckfan]

Thank you for your advise. I would really like to get him in with the girls, so I may go ahead and try. He really does not seem any less afraid of me. He really avoids being caught, but each time I do so, I try to make it a positive experience. I am allowing the girls to free range during the day. Do you think it will be ok to let him out with them without learning where to go at night? OR should I just keep them all in the coop a couple of days so he learns? I guess I am a worry wort. So far I have had good luck the past couple of years. Thanks again!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

If he is next to main coop, you could let him free rang with the girls and leave his pen where it is but open and let him decide on where he want to go roost, in his pen or with the girls. I bet after a day with them he will follow them into the main coop. And he may never like being handled. Mine avoids me when I reach for him but if I grab him he lets me pick him up and does not resist. I only pick him up for inspection. He will eat out of my hands though. He is only 23.5 weeks old, but he is mounting my pullets, at least the ones at POL.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

My cockerel was/is large too. I saw his dad when I got him at 15 weeks and dad was about 12-14lbs. He was massive. Pig Pen, my Splash Orp cockerel, is already about 9lbs at 23.5 weeks. Twice the size of my 17.5 & 19.5 week old pullets. But they are a happy bunch. And he leads the charge when I come out with treats.

 

[cluckfan]

Sounds good! His pen currently is an outdoor run. I have been taking him in at night to a cage with a roost. His out door runs does not have a shelter so to speak. But I could open it up for him to decide,like you stated. I can't wait to see how he turns out.