New member from Ireland with a rooster problem!

[noahsarc]

Hi, I'm a first time Mum to six girls who just started laying a week ago. I have 2 x Marans, 2 x Rhode Island Red and 2 x Buff Sussex. My sister gave me a bantam rooster because she had two and I put him in with the hens last night. This morning the hens tried to kill the poor little fellow, they were really mean to him so eventually I took him away and had to return him before they did serious harm. Was the main problem that he was just too small and I need a bigger rooster?

 

[Mahonri]

First off,

WELCOME TO BYC!

You did right... you need to get get a bigger roo that can get dominant with the hens.

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Welcome from Florida!! Glad you came aboard!

Sounds like you may need a bigger boy to get those girls in line! Heehee

Lisa

 

[shelleyb1969]

and

!!!!! So glad you found us!

I agree with Mahonri...you should probably get a standard size roo. I have a bantam roo (my avatar) who reigns supreme over my standard size layers...but they all grew up together

.

If you get a bigger roo, if possible, put him in his own (very big) cage inside or beside the coop. Let the ladies get used to him being there for a couple of weeks

...then when you turn him out, they'll be less "arguing" amongst them

. That's what I do with all of my newbies, and I never have a problem

. If you just toss a big roo "into the lion's den", he's gonna get hurt (pretty bad)

...even if he is a big rooster.

Good luck!

 

[Chicken Ninja]

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