New free range flock, Rooster ignores the pullets

[BrianV]

Hi all,

A few weeks ago, I purchased a mixed flock of 6 laying hens, 10 10-week pullets and a rooster ('Rufus' or 'Doofus' depending on the situation). They were previously free ranging at the farm where I bought them.

I've kept them in the coop for 8 or 9 days, and let them out for the first time yesterday. What quickly became apparent is that I have two groups of chickens:

1. My rooster and the 6 laying hens stuck together. The rooster kept them all within eyesight, would keep them gathered, watch over them.
2. The 10 pullets went all over the place, mostly as a group, but there was very little cohesion even among themselves.

The rooster and his ladies went into the coop at about 7:00PM to put themselves to bed. Eventually, I had to round up the pullets and herd them back to the coop which worked - once they saw the door, they hopped right in, but I don't think they would have found it themselves, and were in no way following the hens.

The rooster basically ignored the pullets, and they ignored him. He was good about keeping the hens rounded up. If he found food, he'd call them over and they'd scurry back. An evil airplane when overhead, he called and they scrambled for cover. However, the pullets did not respond whatsoever to a single thing he did.

Anything I should be doing different to keep them more cohesive, or to encourage the pullets to follow the flock a bit more?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Welcome to BYC!

That's perfectly normal. He's only interested in the mature ladies (as he should be) and not in the silly little girls.

And pullets aren't the brightest, but they know that the larger girls will treat them like dirt if they merge with the flock. So they're staying apart until they're large enough to hold their own.

Just give it time.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd leave them to handling it, except make sure they are in safe at night. Until the pullets mature enough to start laying they will pretty much form a sub-flock, getting along with the others but staying away from them. What you describe sounds totally normal.

 

[BrianV]

Ok, thanks. This is the first time I've dealt with a mix of pullets and hens, so I appreciate the confirmation!

 

[BrianV]

Oh, and I let them out a little while ago. It's warm and sunny (vs cold and windy yesterday), and they seem to be more inclined to hang out by the coop rather than go around corners for shelter. I think they are just more relaxed.

 

[Sneebsey]

It's a good sign that he is not bothering the younger girls; a good cockerel protects the whole flock, but only takes special 'romantic' interest in hens that are laying at that time; mating is for making babies, after all.

Your pullets should start to find their own way back to the coop soon enough, but just keep herding them in for now; it took my current pullets about a fortnight to figure out where home is and to resign themselves to having to board with the older birds.

 

[aart]

It's a good sign that he is not bothering the younger girls;

Agrees.

Welcome to BYC @BrianV!
How old are the hens and cockbird?
Did they all get along OK in the coop during their initial confinement?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. As others have already said as the pullets mature and with time the flock will merge.

 

[BrianV]

Agrees.

Welcome to BYC @BrianV!
How old are the hens and cockbird?

Did they all get along OK in the coop during their initial confinement?

The hens and the rooster are all a year old and came from the same hatch, I believe. The pullets are about 12 weeks right now.

Everyone got along fine in the coop. The hens keep the pullets in their place, but no real outright fighting.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Hatchmates tend to remain as family groups for a long time, although your birds will merge into one flock as time goes by. Things sound good right now!
Mary