New rooster

[SouthernPeeps08]

Hi everyone. I have small flock of 9 hens. They are different breeds but were all raised together with two roosters, one of which is a banty. The hens are regular sized hens so, my banty is really just for me. My regularly sized rooster met with my neighbors really stupid dog,and did not survive the incident. Sooo with all that being said my friend gave me a very tame and gentle two year old rooster. My question how hard will it be to integrate him into our flock. I know my banty rooster will not like him but his opinion doesn't count lol.. but I am concerned about upsetting my hens.​

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What's wrong with your bantam rooster? The big rooster could kill him, or he could keep him in his place.

The size of your set up and temperament of the rooster will dictate how things go. I wouldn't just add him, and if your birds are confined to a coop and run you may have problems between the roosters.

 

[SouthernPeeps08]

Well the set up we have is two separate coops and we let then free range in the afternoon and lock them back up when they come home to roost. There isn't a problem with my Banty, except he's too small to breed the hens. And I'm wanting to raise chicks. I have two broody silky hens and I have really enjoyed letting them raise babies. Right now I'm keeping the new rooster in one coop and all the rest in my bigger coop.

What's wrong with your bantam rooster? The big rooster could kill him, or he could keep him in his place.

The size of your set up and temperament of the rooster will dictate how things go. I wouldn't just add him, and if your birds are confined to a coop and run you may have problems between the roosters.

 

[Chelseyb123]

I would keep them separated and intruduce them like that until they get use to each other. And then try an supervise them when they are out together when you get to that point pecking order will still occur but being able to break up a fight if it gets violent is better than a dead chicken if one is much smaller than the other. But Heres My experience with the ones i have. I have four roostes and 8 hens. a 3yrs wyndotte the father and three of his sons. The roosters were all raised together from who i got them from but would still get put into pecking order daily or just picked on by daddy. at night when i got my roosters i had to separate them i felt they werent safe, the little ones were about 4months at the time. They are now still smaller than the dad (their 9months now). things seem to be fine other than mating is when they have little fights nothing serious or anything at all. i got them in sept and since i free ranged it helped a lot i think. Everyone got theyre space instead of being cooped up. As of now they all get along fairly good even now that its winter in Maine. I have a fairly big pen for them so they still get good space. Good luck!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well the set up we have is two separate coops and we let then free range in the afternoon and lock them back up when they come home to roost. There isn't a problem with my Banty, except he's too small to breed the hens. And I'm wanting to raise chicks. I have two broody silky hens and I have really enjoyed letting them raise babies. Right now I'm keeping the new rooster in one coop and all the rest in my bigger coop.

Sounds like you have a good plan in place. Your new rooster will hopefully slowly win over your hens. What breed is he? If he's large you may not want him with your silkies.

 

[SouthernPeeps08]

He is a Rhode Island Red rooster. But he is smaller than what I've had in the past for rir roosters though. He seems really friendly, just let's me walk up and pick him right up. I'm thinking I might move the Banty rooster out of my flock and slowly try introducing the new rooster in the pen. I love my Banta and I don't want him hurt, so I don't think I'll introduce with him for awhile

 

[aldarita]

You have a very tough situation because RIRs are known to be a bit aggressive compared to other breeds and then you have a bantam. I will watch them like a hawk because like oldhenlikesdogs said, it all depends on their personalities, space (flock dynamics). Another option you have is to make 2 flocks and keep them separated.

 

[SouthernPeeps08]

Update on the new rooster situation. My hens are swooning for him and the Banty rooster is avoiding completely! We've only had one fight between the roosters and it ended as quickly as it started! I think we got lucky this time!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Update on the new rooster situation. My hens are swooning for him and the Banty rooster is avoiding completely! We've only had one fight between the roosters and it ended as quickly as it started! I think we got lucky this time!

That's good to hear. Watch as spring approaches. Hormones are low this time of year. They will surge as we approach March and April. That's when I see the start of fighting in my roosters if there's going to be any.