New Rooster depressed

[The Johnston Roost]

I recently lost my BEST Rooster. The same day I lost him I was given 2 Phoenix Roosters and introduced them to my flock. One of the new roosters is staying to himself while his brother is integrating well with the flock. Any suggestions? What can I do? I've not noticed him eating either. I'm tempted to give him back, I'm sure he had his favorite hens and misses his first home.

 

[Yard Farmer]

Do you have another pen you can put him in with a hen, or two?

 

[McChooky]

I recently lost my BEST Rooster. The same day I lost him I was given 2 Phoenix Roosters and introduced them to my flock. One of the new roosters is staying to himself while his brother is integrating well with the flock. Any suggestions? What can I do? I've not noticed him eating either. I'm tempted to give him back, I'm sure he had his favorite hens and misses his first home.

If you only need one rooster keep the extra one as a spare or give him away.Sorry for your loss!He was a beautiful boy!

 

[Mrs. K]

When you have a best rooster, it is hard to be pleased with new roosters. However, roosters really do not get depression as in missing other birds, they hate change, but only for a few days, then that is the new normal.

However, roosters also do not understand the idea of sharing. I think the one that is in with the flock, is probably not allowing this rooster into the flock. May lead to fighting, however, many roosters can exist like this, if there is more than enough space.

Mrs K

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

I recently lost my BEST Rooster. The same day I lost him I was given 2 Phoenix Roosters and introduced them to my flock. One of the new roosters is staying to himself while his brother is integrating well with the flock. Any suggestions? What can I do? I've not noticed him eating either. I'm tempted to give him back, I'm sure he had his favorite hens and misses his first home.

See if you can get one of his girlfriends from his former home.. I'd bet he's missing his #1 girl

 

[McChooky]

See if you can get one of his girlfriends from his former home.. I'd bet he's missing his #1 girl

I suspect he's the Beta of the 2 and shy.If either had a favorite it would have likely been the other rooster.This one needs a hen or two for sure

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

I suspect he's the Beta of the 2 and shy.If either had a favorite it would have likely been the other rooster.This one needs a hen or two for sure

Have you never observed a rooster with his flock? They will have many hens, but only one is the true favourite. If the 'shy' one is seeming depressed, he needs to be understood, find out if he had a mate he liked hanging out with. If he had a g/f, I'd be trying to get that one and just keep them together. TLC goes a long way with roosters, well any chicken really.

Roosters get severely depressed, I've watched my boy, he goes off his food if he hasn't seen his mate for just 2 days. As soon as he sees her and realises she's ok, he starts eating again. She's been in my kitchen since may, but goes outside on warm days or if it's raining, I bring her mate in to see her for a couple of minutes to just chat. He sees her most days, and the longest was 4 days when we had a massive downpour.
When one of the retired girls passed away a few weeks ago, he mourned her just as much as her sister did. Now they've become friends. He doesn't try to mate with her, she's finished laying and he respects her. And when I take his g/f out, he waits half hour or so before he mates with her. She's usually coughing so he just stands guard over her