New rooster

[JanetRN1]

I prefer to keep them visible but physically separated for at least a couple days. You can gauge how they act with the wire in between them before you have them in physical contact.

If you try the crash-course, just be ready to pull him out if anyone acts crazy. I've had hens mob a strange rooster before, and some young roosters have the manners of Attila the Hun when they meet hens the first time.

Thank you! I kept him separated for a day. I watched how the girls warmed up to him, eventually going to the crate and checking him out. And he seemed very docile. He didn’t get riled up with them walking around him.
So I let him into the run the next day and it was like they’d known each other forever.
So far, so good! He’s been a good roo!

 

[Mcniff]

Thank you, this post was very helpful. I am integrating a rooster into an existing flock of 10 older hens.
I was worried about how to do it properly, but this really helps.

 

[gimmie birdies]

That happened to me one time, I had a rooster separated, I think I only wanted him with certain hens, before you knew it, he found a way to be in the coop with every one.

My favorite time to intro a rooster is when they are about 10 weeks old and think they are the big fish with hens their age. Then I put him in with adult hens, no young hens. The teach him a lesson or two, then when he is time to breed, there is none of the over breeding or bad attitudes.

 

[redinator]

I'm glad I found this thread. I have a few RIR 7 week old cockerels that have homes lined up. After a discussion with the potential buyers we decided to wait until they're a bit older.

One has only hens that are 6 months old, the other one their hens are all over a year.

The one with the 6 month old hens would like to buy a couple RIR pullets so at least they'll have each other until they're accepted by the existing flock. Is this a good idea, or will it make integration more difficult? I'm willing to give up a pullet or two if it'll help get a cockerel a home, but not if it'll make integration more difficult.

The one with the year old hens only wants a cockerel. What age would be a good age to hand him over?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would send the one with the pullets sooner than later. And the one going by himself later, IF I HAD a place to keep him if he gets out of line with my pullets.