New rooster

[Auntiejessi3]

How would you suggest I do that? Like I said, this is a completely new area for me! Do you have any tips on how I would do a see no touch environment?

IMO at his age it doesn't really matter, if you separate him for a week then let him out they will do the same thing, it's what hens do to young cockerels to teach them manners. Introducing a cockerel and Introducing a hen are two totally different things in my book.

 

[whatbeginsabetnotthat]

Thank you so much for that advice! I was thinking along them same lines but was a little nervous when people said to not throw him in there. I just want to do what’s best for him

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How would you suggest I do that? Like I said, this is a completely new area for me! Do you have any tips on how I would do a see no touch environment?

This is my article on Integrating:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-a-pictorial-guide.79343/

And here is another excellent article on integrating flocks:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

How would you suggest I do that? Like I said, this is a completely new area for me! Do you have any tips on how I would do a see no touch environment?

Depends on your setup but if you have a wire dog crate you can fit in/near your run so he has a place with his own food and water but the others can’t get at him that would be best. They will jump on the cage and poke around but they won’t be able to peck him or keep him from resources. Then after a week or two you can let him out to mingle a couple hours at a time then once things seem mellow(ish) leave him out with them. It really depends on your setup but the idea is a slower introduction rather than throwing an intruder into the hens’ territory. I haven’t introduced a rooster this way because usually my roosters are accident chicks that get given away. So others might disagree.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Listen to @Auntiejessi3. Like I said, I never got to keep my roosters (until the one I have now).

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I haven’t introduced a rooster this way because usually my roosters are accident chicks that get given away.

My first roo was actually a trade; I got him and 2 pullets at 15 weeks old. The gentleman I got them from is a long-time member here, he told me to just put them in, and it would be fine, but after everything I had read on here, I put them in a separated area in site of my ladies. After about 3 hrs it just looked like they wanted out so bad, so I opened the gate and took a seat to watch. There was minimal interaction and for the most part everyone would go take a look, maybe throw a peck, then go about their business. After a week you'd never have known they were newbies, and Klaus turned into a perfect gentleman. Now I will add that I have well above the minimal space recommendations, and I'm sure that played a big part. My current roo was hatched and raised with the flock and is a very good boy also.

 

[wrathsfarm]

My first roo was actually a trade; I got him and 2 pullets at 15 weeks old. The gentleman I got them from is a long-time member here, he told me to just put them in, and it would be fine, but after everything I had read on here, I put them in a separated area in site of my ladies. After about 3 hrs it just looked like they wanted out so bad, so I opened the gate and took a seat to watch. There was minimal interaction and for the most part everyone would go take a look, maybe throw a peck, then go about their business. After a week you'd never have known they were newbies, and Klaus turned into a perfect gentleman. Now I will add that I have well above the minimal space recommendations, and I'm sure that played a big part. My current roo was hatched and raised with the flock and is a very good boy also.

I've only ever raised my boys in flock and it's been a lot of them now, but I have no experience here with introducing a newcomer so it's interesting to read and possibly learn something here on the side lines.
My opinion if it does mean anything would be to a see no touch soft introduction kind of like your scenario. Just play it by ear and watch as introducing a new male is completely different from females to a flock.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do make sure you have a good set up with a lot of clutter. Hideouts, roosts, multiple feed bowls, so that birds can escape from each other.

Then put him in with the girls. Even if they peck on him, he will want to be with them, more than he will want to be protected. They will figure it out. Adding a rooster, and one that is 5 months old, is old enough is the easiest additions to a flock, unless there is another rooster - then it is a cock fight.

Mrs K

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I've only ever raised my boys in flock and it's been a lot of them now, but I have no experience here with introducing a newcomer so it's interesting to read and possibly learn something here on the side lines.
My opinion if it does mean anything would be to a see no touch soft introduction kind of like your scenario. Just play it by ear and watch as introducing a new male is completely different from females to a flock.

I've learned that what works for one may not work for another. I'm always willing to try new things, and I've come up with a lot of the things I do by trying something and adjusting it to suit my flock and their personalities.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I've learned that what works for one may not work for another. I'm always willing to try new things, and I've come up with a lot of the things I do by trying something and adjusting it to suit my flock and their personalities.

Same here.