Newb question about my layers...

[tjb]

Thank you both very much!! I believe I will try and rehome the rooster ASAP. Less stress on one less thing for me to wonder about! I can always but baby chicks in Feb...

What are your opinions on adding laying hens to an existing flock?

 

[Al_in_NB]

I bet they go in the nest boxes to get away from the rooster. 6 hens in a small coop with a rooster, yikes, I need to hide.
Sounds like the rooster is stressing them out. GC

Think leaving him outside at night would be better, or just get rid of him all together?

 

[Sublight]

Do they free range? If the nest boxes are blocked off, they may be laying elsewhere. I would suggest opening them up and putting the chickens on the roost at night so they hopefully get the idea that that's where they should be sleeping. Are the roosts higher than the nest boxes? Chickens prefer to roost up as high as they can.

This happened to me. mine free range and I thought they had quit laying. Then I found a area with about 30 eggs in it. It was gigantic!

 

[Sublight]

Think leaving him outside at night would be better, or just get rid of him all together?

I dont want to just go against everyone but these are my thoughts.
I grew up with chickens, and my dad normally had one rooster with about 4-6 hens at a given time.
I started my flock out with one rooster and 3 hens, then went to 5 hens.
Everything was great, save some bare spots on the hens back, but he calmed down after 6-8 months (or their skin just got tougher). The rooster was having a good time i suppose.
Anyway, i like having the rooster in my small flock. I feel like he keeps watch over my girls. You may be jumping the gun a little by getting rid of him.
My suggestion is to grab a glass of sweet tea, and a chair, and watch them for 30 minutes. See if he is constantly mounting, or chasing them. Then make you decision. I feel like a rooster has a lot to offer.
In my opinion, noting is as cute as seeing a broody hen hatch some eggs and raise them. The grandkids will love it if you can get them to become broody.

 

[Al_in_NB]

He doesn't look like he is stressing them out. Look pretty content.

 

[Al_in_NB]

I dont want to just go against everyone but these are my thoughts.
I grew up with chickens, and my dad normally had one rooster with about 4-6 hens at a given time.
I started my flock out with one rooster and 3 hens, then went to 5 hens.
Everything was great, save some bare spots on the hens back, but he calmed down after 6-8 months (or their skin just got tougher). The rooster was having a good time i suppose.
Anyway, i like having the rooster in my small flock. I feel like he keeps watch over my girls. You may be jumping the gun a little by getting rid of him.
My suggestion is to grab a glass of sweet tea, and a chair, and watch them for 30 minutes. See if he is constantly mounting, or chasing them. Then make you decision. I feel like a rooster has a lot to offer.
In my opinion, noting is as cute as seeing a broody hen hatch some eggs and raise them. The grandkids will love it if you can get them to become broody.

Yes, he doesn't seem to bother them at all from what I've watched. He just keeps an eye on them, digs holes and rolls around.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

When they first start, it wouldn't be a set pattern. You'll have to wait a bit before they lay around every day.

 

[Sublight]

Yes, he doesn't seem to bother them at all from what I've watched. He just keeps an eye on them, digs holes and rolls around.

Personally, id just give it some time. My first 2 chickens started laying at the same time. The third diddnt lay until about 2 months later. I was about to introduce that hen to some dumplins, then egg production went up and all 3 were laying.

Its up to you, but i love my rooster, even though he is a jerk, and is aggressive. I was about to kill him, until i heard comotion in my pen, and ran outside. A coon had a mouthfull of his feathers, and i ran it off. Did the rooster fight the hen because it was a intruder, or did the coon target him. Ill never know, but i personally like to think he went to war to protect his flock.

Ill catch up on the thread tomorrow. My wife just got here with PIZZA!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Yes he does seem peaceful. Your pullets combs don't look that impressive yet.
I would wait and see what happens.
He looks impressive. GC

 

[aart]

He doesn't look like he is stressing them out. Look pretty content.

Is that cock/erel the same age as the pullets?