New member

[Csharp44]

Hello everyone my name is Connie and I just joined. I have been going to your site for ever it seems like for my answers so today I decided to get involved. I have 12 hens 6 Austrolorps 3 rohd island reds and 3 barred rock. They are pretty close to the same age austrolorps are about 7 months old and the others are 10 months old. I just got a bueatiful 7 month old black copper Marian rooster with the feathers on his feet last night. I put him in with austrolorps last night and all went well but this morning 3 of my austrolorps attacked him and I have never even seen the peck each other. It was like lekal and hide. They drew blood and really disappointed me. Why did they do that out of the blue. I am hoping it is just age. I have the rooster locked up by his self and they are coming to the fence and trying ti peck him of course he gives it back. How long will this go on.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[drumstick diva]

They didn't do it out of the blue. Chickens have a definite pecking order. You cannot just put new birds in with established ones. You have seen what happens. Please use the search box to find "The Look but don't touch," method of integration. If done properly there is no blood shed, etc.

 

[Csharp44]

Also I always let my chickens Free Range I feel bad the rooster is not out with them. When can he Free Range.

 

[Csharp44]

Thank you drumstick diva

 

[rjohns39]

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

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - it is indeed the pecking order. Introduce him to the least aggressive hens a couple at a time over a period of time. (days, not hours) Once he has established himself with them, add the more aggressive hens one at a time. It would have been good to quarantine him, but hopefully he is healthy.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you've joined us! Your new roo needs to be in with them but seperated in a way that they can see each other for a while but can't get to each other. There will always be some pecking and arguing at first no matter what since they will need to sort their pecking order. Before all that though, any new chicken should have a quarentine period of at least 2 weeks (preferably 4 weeks) before they're allowed anywhere near your flock to make sure they don't have any hidden illnesses or parasites that they could pass on to your flock.

 

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